By Johnturner
Leicestershire,
United Kingdom 
I grew some broadbeans this year. Happy with the beans
but could do with a bigger yield. not bad for a first try with dwarf variety, but plants themselves look ropey. dry leaves and stems look old and spent like there has been a hard winter. my question is are beans supposed to grow in pristine fashion or am i being too fussy.
as always i would like to thank you all for the help you give me.
john jt
9 Sep, 2012
Answers
Try a long pod variety like Imperial Long Green pod as these often give better results. The other thing to do is to grow a hardy variety that you can plant in autumn, like Aquadulce, as these will produce a good spring or early summer crop more reliably in a dry season.
9 Sep, 2012
You picked a bad year for your first time!
I have been growing them for more years than I can remember and yes my crop sounded like yours this year.
I think many people will agree that 2012 will go down as probably their worst year ever, it certainly is the case with me!
This is how I grow mine (with a couple of pictures)
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Beans-Broad/Beans%20-%20Broad.htm
9 Sep, 2012