GROWING

Sow these tasty broad beans twice in the year for twice as much cropping! Sow from February to April for cropping in the autumn; then sow in September to November for an early summer crop of 25cm-long pods containing between five and seven beans. Good cold resistance makes these broad beans a great choice for overwintering.SOWING INSTRUCTIONS: Sow seed 5cm (2in) deep into well-prepared soil. Sow double rows, allowing 23-30cm (9-12in) between plants, and 60cm (24in) between each row.GROWING INSTRUCTIONS: As plants grow, support with stout canes and string as necessary. Pinch out the tips of the plants when in full flower to help the pods swell and to help reduce infestation of blackfly. Pick frequently when pods are well-filled, but still tender."SERVING SUGGESTION: Broad beans are a great accompaniment to chicken, pork or ham. Or why not try them steamed and chilled in a healthy mixed bean salad with a light French dressing.Freshly picked, small, young broad beans are a source of pro-vitamin A and vitamins C and E. Also a good source of protein."

Try growing broad beans in a pot on your patio or by the back door! This compact dwarf variety is ideal. With a similar habit to customer favourite ‘The Sutton’, British-bred ‘Robin Hood’ will produce bumper crops of short pods containing 4-6 tender green beans.Direct sow broad bean seed under cloches in February, or without protection from March to April. For particularly early crops some varieties of broad beans may also be sown outdoors under cloches from early autumn to late winter.
Grow beans in full sun on rich fertile, well manured soil with protection from strong winds. Plant broad beans in double rows set 23cm (9") apart and allowing at least 60cm (24") between each double row. Sow broad beans at a depth of 5cm (2") deep and a distance of 23cm (9") apart within each row and water well. Germination usually takes around 10 days. When growing broad beans, support the plants by placing a cane or stout stick at each corner of a double row and tying in with string, especially in windy gardens. Keep well watered, particularly as flowers begin to set and hoe between rows regularly. Pinch out the growing tips after the first flowers have set pods to deter blackfly and encourage further pods to set. Harvest broad beans when the pods are well filled and the seed still soft.

Fast-growing and easy-to-grow broccoli with tender stems, also known as green sprouting broccoli, is a popular alternative to round headed varieties. Sweettasting bluish-green stems are delicious picked fresh and lightly steamed.Sow seed thinly 6mm (¼in) deep, and cover with a sprinkling of dry vermiculite or finely sieved compost. Place the seed and tray in a propagator or seal inside a polythene bag and keep at around 18-21?C (65-70?F) until seeds germinate which takes 4-7 days.When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or multi-cell trays. Plant out once the plants are approximately 10-15cm (4-6in) tall, into well-prepared soil allowing 38cm (15in) apart each way. Alternatively, sow thinly in a well-prepared seedbed, 1cm (½in) deep, and plant out when large enough to handle allowing 38cm (15in) apart each way. Sow successionally forextended harvest.

An outstanding early variety producing a smooth domed 350g (12oz) head with tight beads 70-80 days from transplanting. Once the central head has been cut the plant will produce plenty of tasty side shoots. Partial downy mildew resistance and resistant to white blister. RHS AGM.Sow seed thinly 6mm (1/4in) deep, and cover with a sprinkling of dry vermiculite or finely sieved compost. Place the seed and tray in a propagator or seal inside a polythene bag and keep at around 18-21C (65-70F) until seeds germinate. This will take about 4-7 days.When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or multi-cell trays. Plant out once the plants are approximately 10-15cm (4-6in) tall, into well-prepared soil allowing 38cm (15in) apart each way. Alternatively, sow thinly in a well-prepared seedbed, 1cm (1/2in) deep, and plant out when large enough to handle allowing 38cm (15in) apart each way. Sow successionally for extended harvest.