What are the key points to note when growing broad beans? Master these few points

The broad bean is a rather unique type of legume. Its pods are relatively thick and fleshy, so it is also called the Buddha bean. It has good adaptability and is grown all over the country. Broad beans have relatively high nutritional and medicinal value, and their range of uses is also fairly wide. Nowadays, dishes made from broad beans as a raw material are especially popular. So today what we want to learn about is what issues need attention when growing broad beans. Let's take a look below.

1. Time

Because there are certain climate differences among different regions, the planting time also differs. So what we need to note is that the planting time should be decided according to the specific climate conditions of the location. In our country, planting is generally carried out in the autumn and winter seasons, and it is best to sow around October to November, while in some places the suitable sowing period for broad beans is around January to February or around March to April. So the planting time is a small issue that needs attention.

2. Soil

The soil for growing broad beans is best as fertile, well-drained sandy soil or loam rich in organic matter, and the soil pH should be moderate, while slightly alkaline soil is also a good choice. What should be noted here is that the previous crop in the selected planting site cannot be melons, fruits or legumes, and continuous cropping cannot be carried out on the same piece of land, as this will all affect the growth of broad beans.

3. Temperature

Broad beans are quite strict in their temperature requirements, mainly because they are neither cold-tolerant nor heat-tolerant. The most suitable temperature for broad bean growth is around 20 to 25 degrees, while the temperature at which broad beans sprout most easily is around 16 to 18 degrees. So we must grow them strictly according to the living habits of broad beans. Only in this way can broad beans grow better and the yield be higher.

4. Fertilizer and water

Broad bean is a moisture-loving plant, but at the same time it is not waterlogging-tolerant, so the management of field moisture should be relatively direct and decisive. When necessary, water heavily, and once the soil is thoroughly wet, drain promptly. At the same time, when heavy rainfall occurs, drain promptly as well. The growth of broad beans requires a large amount of nutrients, but fertilizing has principles. Above all, do not apply too much nitrogen fertilizer, as this will cause excessive growth of branches and leaves, resulting in the phenomenon of only growing branches and leaves without setting pods. So we can only apply a moderate amount of nitrogen fertilizer, and then reasonably apply potassium fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer.

5. Pruning

Broad beans grow relatively fast. When the main stem of the broad bean grows to about 10 cm, we need to pinch out the growing tip of the main stem. This can promote the growth of side branches, because the main stem of the broad bean generally does not set many pods, so to increase the yield of broad beans we can only promote the growth of side branches. Secondly, when the side branches have grown to a certain extent, we can pinch off the tender tips on them. This allows them to enter the flowering stage quickly, and the tender tips can also be used for cooking, so it can be said to kill two birds with one stone.