Gardening in February: Sowing Broad Beans

Another job for February, if you haven't done it already, is to sow broad bean seed.

Different varieties of broad bean need planting at different times, but if you want  to give your beans a chance to grow before there are too many blackfly about, plant a hardy variety such as The Sutton or Aquadulce Claudia into humus- and nutrient-rich soil by the end of the month or very early March.

I planted an organic variety, Super Aquadulce, at the end of January this year, which seemed a bit late, but with all the snow we had, perhaps that wasn't a bad thing.  Mind you, they aren't up yet.

No sign of the beans yet, but hopefully they are about to burst out soon

When we were looking around Wisley on Sunday I noticed that they had protected their broad beans with a fleece mini cloche.

Healthy looking broad beans seen at Wisley on 19 February

Other varieties can be grown in the Spring.  Check the packet for details.  If you have a small or windy garden you may prefer a dwarf variety.

Here is some more information about growing broad beans from The Royal Horticultural Society

If you haven't planted your garlic yet, it's not too late.  I'm hoping to plant some on Sunday.  According to an Isle of Wight grower, February is the best time to plant garlic.