broad bean

Does best in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, moist but well drained soil, though most soils will produce an adequate crop. In milder areas, hardier varieties may be sown in autumn to crop in late spring. Otherwise sow successionally from mid-spring to crop from early summer to early autumn. Tall varieties may need staking, dwarf ones can be grown in containers. See broad bean cultivation

Picking off the tips of the shoots can reduce and delay infestation by black bean aphid, and also improve the yield of beans

Likely to be affected by pea and bean weevil and blackfly (black aphid)

May be affected by Broad bean rust and Broad bean chocolate spot