PLANTING GUIDE
Plant to replenish soil. Big broad bean seeds need to be planted deep enough and far enough apart to allow tall beanstalks to grow. They don’t need staking initially, but may need a little help staying up when the heavy bean pods grow….be patient they may take more time to grow than you think! Plant peas as well and it is a good time to top up your garden with more leafy greens and improve the soil with compost and manure ready for more autumn planting.
RECIPE SUGGESTION
Growing taller, let’s eat beans!
“When your broad beans are ready, try making broad bean dip to share! Be inspired by legumes and make a pea bruschetta, lentil bolognese or tomato and lentil soup”
Broad Bean Dip
AUTUMN
Learning about plant life cycles, plant food and more!
Each child has the opportunity to plant their own broad bean seed in the garden and watch it grow. They are encouraged to use their imagination and imagine how tall their bean stalk will grow (inspired by Jack and the Beanstalk). Faye the Farmer Friend teaches us about the life cycle of the broad bean and other legumes and how some plants can improve the soil for others, by fixing primary nutrients or ‘plant food’ into the soil.
Early years S T E M – Learning plant life cycles, plant families, seasons and elements of soil e.g. nitrogen. Using gardening tools e.g dibber. Measuring the height of bean stalks as they grow, counting how many beans in a pod and how many pods on a beanstalk!
Primary School Considerations and Investigations:
Consider how nature can fertilise the environment with nitrogen fixing plants vs using chemicals.
Investigate plant families and research origins of family names.
Investigate seed germination of a broad bean.
Measure beanstalks as they grow.
Learn the life cycle of the broad bean.
Research tools and machinery in farming (use a dibber to plant broad beans in the garden).
Curriculum and Framework Links
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