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How to build a broad bean string support

Broad beans don't climb, but they grow about 1m tall and flop over in wind and rain once they're heavy with pods. A box of canes with string round it holds the whole block up.

• DifficultyEasy
• Time15 minutes
• Rough costabout £8

What you need

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Tools

• Scissors

Step by step

1. Push a cane in at each corner of your block of broad beans - and every metre along the sides for a long one - about 20cm deep.
2. Tie string round the outside of all the canes at about 30cm high, pulled tight.
3. Add a second string at 60cm, and a third at 90cm for tall varieties.
4. The beans grow up inside the box and lean on the strings instead of flopping. When the first pods form, pinch the tops off - it keeps blackfly away.

Tips

• Sow them in a block of double rows, about 20cm apart, so they help hold each other up.
• Put the canes in early - it's much harder once they've flopped.

Good for growing

• Broad beans