I would seriously pull a few out as they go so berserk. And they do sneak up on you don't they. You have a picking day and next time you go there they are.... HUGE!!!! Even with two we get so many that we give the big ones to the chooks because people don't want them. I split them in half lengthways. I think the bulbous thing was probably due to that dry spell in October. We have had that happen too. I would mulch them with the straight stuff from your pen... just don't dig it in. The other thing is they are gross feeders so they will be guzzling all the nutrients in the garden. I know it is hard to pull tuff out. It is like thinning fruit. You must laugh when I say I have only just planted ours. I think it is terrific that you are growing stuff in your backyard. Don't forget the sheep dags idea. If you know a friendly sheep farmer, it is great for mulch. Keep it a secret tho otherwise it will be a fortune to buy if everybody gets the idea!!! We just sold one of our peacocks to a really good home, so we are pleased. He was a 2 year old male and at the bottom of the pecking order. Can you take some pics and email them to me or post them on the site. I would love to see your set up. I do think you should be congratulated and everybody should be doing it.
We picked most of the remainder of our broad beans and froze them. I have a big supermarket bag filled with small bags of them plus we have given heaps away. Also made cauliflower soup with three and gave one away and there are 4 coming on. Picked 4 huge heads of brocc and blanched and froze them in serves and there is more coming, and froze heaps of snowpeas. We have them on small bushes too... Sugar Bon from New Gippsland seeds. Have got some beans ready to plant. Also have been eating beetroot boiled instead of potato and purple cabbage.... there are about five in the garden!!! Just in case I seem to be boasting remember we lost our plums, nectars, apricots, peaches, pears and nashis and most of our cherries to the frosts. Cheers, P