Peter Clarke delivered his second, and HCFA’s fourth, weekend workshop. The HCFA workshops are quickly developing their own unique teaching style; explanation, demonstration, participation. And, with this template in hand, Peter furnished us with some pearls (well beans) of wisdom from his treasure trove of horticultural knowledge.

We started with broad beans (since we are a bit late in the planting season from broad beans), moved onto peas, then runner beans and finally dwarf french beans.

Once again Peter was very thorough and it was difficult to remember all he said. Consequently, inspired by Peter’s crib sheets, HCFA will be publishing some post workshop “factsheets”. But, if you can’t wait, here it is in brief;

Broad beans; sow in October or March, no supports, watch out for black fly and bean weevil. Peas; plant in succession March to May, space twigs in rows for them to climb, harvest regularly, watch out for pigeon. Runner beans; very tender – plant after the last frost, need 8ftish supports, pick from August onwards. Dwarf french beans; no support required, plant after last frost (Borlotto particularly tender), sow in flat bottom trench 1-2inches deep.