Broad beans is one of the oldest plants cultivated by man. For thousands of years, its seeds, initially small or medium-sized, have been valued for their taste and nutritional value, and also as food for cattle.In the past, the most common dried seeds were ground into flour, and fresh ones were eaten overcooked into a mush.For several centuries, varieties with thick fleshy pods and large seeds have been valued the most.
Small-seeded forms, such as the botanical variety horse bean, have been relegated to feed for farm animals and have disappeared from the list of edible vegetables. But not really, as some are still grown in various regions of Europe with humid climates. The most popular varieties of broad beans today produce large seeds in magnificent pods, reaching consumption maturity after 70-90 days after sowing.
We are eager to eat cooked semi-ripe seeds. They are also perfect for freezing. Among the many early varieties that provide delicate and tasty seeds as early as June, it is worth mentioning at least some, such as 'Bachus', 'Alseed Aquqdulce', 'Figaro', 'Bizon', 'Bonzo', 'Dragon', 'Primabel' .There are also varieties with seeds that are also tasty, but mature later, as well as colored varieties.Some new varieties have thin-skinned white seeds. After cooking, they retain their color, but lose their characteristic strong aroma, especially appreciated by gourmets.
Early sowing in early March has many advantages. Plants can take advantage of more ground moisture in the soil, develop faster, develop more flower buds and pods. If we accelerate the cultivation of broad beans, we will gain an advantage in the possible fight against the dangerous black aphid. In warm spring days, the pest multiplies rapidly, forming entire colonies on the shoots.
As a preventive measure, you can remove the tops of the shoots in the middle or at the end of May and sprinkle the plants with rhubarb leaves decoction after the aphids appear.In cooler areas with high air humidity, beans can be sown later. In summer cultivation, the pods are harvested at the end of July and Augustu. In amateur cultivation, broad beans do not require fertilization. Tuberous growths form on its roots with bacteria obtaining nitrogen from minerals in the ground. Fertilization disrupts and delays this process.
The harvest begins when the seeds in bulky pods, lined with soft cotton wool, reach a typical size, but are still unripe. Low-growing pods are most often larger and contain the most seeds.To obtain seeds, leave the pods on the shoots, letting them dry completely.Peel the seeds when they are very hard and dry.Depending on the variety, they are brown, purple or creamy white.
