At a Glance
- Variety:Broad Beans
Low growing variety.
Suitable for small gardens.
Outstanding flabour and the beans freeze well.
Sowing Time
February – May
Sowing Indoors
Seeds can be sown individually in 8cm (3in) pots of seed compost. After sowing, place pots in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. Keep moist but not saturated. Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions before setting them out from April onwards to their cropping positions allowing 20cm (8in) between plants in the row. This often gives an earlier crop than outdoor sowings.
Sowing Outdoors
Sow individual seeds 5cm (2in) deep and 10cm (4in) apart. Broad beans are usually sown in double rows about 20cm (8in) apart. Allow 60cm (24in) between each set of double rows.
Aftercare
To deter blackfly (sometimes a problem on broad beans) pinch out the growing tips of the plants when they are in full flower.
Harvest
June – July. Pick them as young as possible for the very best flavour. When very young, they can be cooked and eaten in their pods. Broad beans are delicious cooked, cooled and used in salads too.
