A very old heritage cultivar which can be sown in the autumn for harvesting the following spring and summer, or sown in spring for harvesting in the summer. Flowers are pinkish red, and pods are plentiful. Beans can also be dried for use. Reaches approximately 90cm in height, needs full sun and plenty of water when pods are setting for a good yield.
0.5-1 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Does best in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, moist but well-drained soil, though most soils will produce an adequate crop. May be sown in Oct/Nov and protected overwinter with cloches, for an early harvest. Otherwise sow in February in pots in a cold greenhouse or in March/Apr outdoors. Plants may need support. See broad-bean cultivation for further advice
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Picking off the tips of the shoots can delay and reduce infestation by black bean aphid, and also improve the yield of beans
May be susceptible to pea and bean weevil and black bean aphid. Stored seed may be susceptible to broad bean seed beetle
May be susceptible to broad bean rust and broad bean chocolate spot