I'm growing broad beans for the first time this year on the allotment. They're just coming through now, under the fleece that has been covering the bed. I've taken the fleece off as the weight of the rain on it last night seems to have squashed the new shoots a bit, but do I need to protect the shoots from birds now? I've popped some upturned plastic bottles over them for couple of days while I ponder what to do...If I use netting, do I just lay it over the plants, or do I need to stick posts in and make a sort of cage with it? Any beany suggestetions greatfully received :thumbsup:

Yes definately cover with netting. wood pigeons are sooo annoying for destroying young shoots. You will need to prop the net up above the seedlings or they will probably get to them anyway. Also if you do that you could put some slug pellets around the shoots to stop slugs destroying them too and birds wont be able to eat the dead slugs either.

Thanks for that. Better get up there and sort it out...

I would take the plastic bottles off the plants as broad beans are quite hardy. Depending on the size you risk "frying" the plants on sunny days. I personally push sturdy woody privot cuttings around my plants which deters the pigeons. This also provides support for later in the season, to prevent wind damage, when your plants are top heavy with beans. Yum yum!

Right, all sorted under some raised netting now. Can't believe how fast they're coming up. Very satisfying :P