Growing field/ Broad/ Horse beans (Vicia Faba)

MFdaveIreland

Hi guys, hope im sticking this in the right thread. Im planning on planting some potatoes this year in a country garden to clean the soil up prior to sowing in grass later in the year.

Im considering splitting it between spuds and beans.

Anyone experience of growing beans at all, smallish scale 0.2 acre ish.

When to plant ( March? ) when to harvest, i would be interested in digging them in as green manure also , so would i have to overwinter them also? thanks

ihatewinter

What about planting clover as a green manure. It will fix nitrogen and keep the ground reasonably clean of weeds and grasses. Sow seeds and walk away.

Would it not be better to get use out of the area. Plant vegetables through polythene such as cabbages, onions, turnips, brussels sprouts, chard, kale, leeks whatever. If you thinks the crops will over-ripen before you get to use them, space out your planting every few weeks.

No need to spray, all of the above will grow organically. Keep the area around them weed-free so insects and pests have no where to hide. Plus don't plant under trees, to shady.