overwintering broad beans

savemepennies

just bought the seeds from seedparade and was wondering what is the best time to sow? now? or in a month? as the weather is very cold is it best to start them indoors?
Never overwintered anything and just feels so wrong to sow the poor things direct outside in October

Sally_A

If the variety is one for overwintering, say Aquadulce Claudia, pop them in Oct/Nov, but protect them from wind as this can snap off the plants. ie by windbreaks, not covering: covering can make them sweat and go mouldy.

Autumn sown may get you a harvest only approx 2 -3 weeks earlier than a spring grown crop; but they are less likely to get black aphids.

Sazbo

I've not over-wintered before, largely for lack of space reasons, but have bought some Aquadulce Claudia and thinking I'll take a deep breath and sow them end of October... fingers crossed!

radiohelen

This year I had a bumper broad bean crop and it was the result of my lax allotmenting. I let the beans go over last year and they dropped seed and self set. Best crop of beans on the allotment this spring so I say bung 'em in now and see what happens.