At a Glance
- Variety:Borlotti
Early variety with long, bright red pods.
Excellent disease resistance.
8-9 beans per pod.
Sowing Time
Indoors: April – May
Outdoors: May – June
Sowing Outdoors
Sow individual seeds in 8cm (3in) pots of seed and potting compost. Keep the pots in a frost free greenhouse. Ensure the compost remains moist at all times, but not saturated. Gradually accustom the young plants to outside conditions for 2-3 weeks before planting them out in the cropping positions from late May onwards, when the danger of frost has passed. Ensure supports are in place before planting out. Allow 20cm (8in) between plants in the row.
Sowing Outdoors
Sow individual seeds 5cm (2in) deep and 8cm (3in) apart. Dwarf beans are usually sown in double rows with 30cm (12in) between each row. Each row then supports the other. They will require no further support. Dwarf bean seed in sensitive to cold, wet soils and will not germinate in unfavourable conditions. We therefore recommend you do not sow seed outdoors before May.
Aftercare
Dwarf beans require plenty of water to produce a good crop. Water generously in dry spells. They are generally disease and trouble free.
Harvest
June – September. Pick the beans when they are young and tender. This encourages plants to remain productive longer.
Freezing
Dwarf beans freeze well. Simply blanch them into boiling water for a minute or two, drain, allow to cool, then bag them for the freezer.
