Shop

Heavy crops of long smooth textured dark-green 30-37cm (12-15in pods). Excellent for freezing and exhibition.Prefers to be grown in fertile, moist yet well drained soil which has had plenty of well rotted compost dug into it the previous autumn. For an an early start sow seeds from mid spring in artificial heat (propagator, greenhouse, warm room) in peat pots and plant out after last expected frost. Outdoors do not sow until at least 10 days after last frost, 5cm (2in) deep. Sow 2 seeds every 30cm (12in) in rows 38cm (15in) apart.Remove weaker seedlings after germination. Make sure your soil is warm and avoid it becoming baked hard. Water regularly and liquid feed every 14 days during mid summer. A thick mulch will help conserve moisture.Pick the beans regularly a little on the young side to ensure top quality and prolonged cropping.

"In recent years we have introduced and developed vegetables that have achieved real steps forward in yield, flavour, space saving, disease tolerance; etc. This bean fits into this category and is outstanding in every way.Almost foolproof, it attains huge crops from a small area. Long, broad, completely stringless, very fleshy 25-30cm (10-12in) pods. Very heavy cropping, often averages 40 pods per plant. As it is a shy seeder there is more juicy fleshy edible area, which accounts for the exceptional flavour. Compared with other runner beans it is much more productive under dry weather conditions. White flowered."Prefers fertile, moist yet well drained soil which has had plenty of well rotted compost dug into it the previous autumn. For an early start sow seeds from mid spring in artificial heat (propagator, greenhouse, warm room) in peat pots and plant out after last expected frost. Outdoors do not sow until at least 10 days after last frost, 5cm (2in) deep. Sow 2 seeds every 30cm (12in) in rows 38cm (15in) apart.Remove weaker seedlings after germination. Ensure soil is warm and avoid it becoming baked hard. Water regularly and liquid feed every 14 days during mid summer. A thick mulch will help conserve moisture.Pick regularly on the young side to ensure top quality and prolonged cropping.

A multi-purpose Italian speciality, either for fresh young pods as flageolets (semi-mature pods with succulent seeds) or more usually as haricots (full mature pods with ripe seeds). Spectacular, flattish, pale green pods are heavily splashed with reddish streaks which disappear on cooking.Sow seed 4cm (1½ in) deep in 7.5cm (3 in) pots or trays of good seed compost. Place in a propagator or sealed container inside a polythene bag and place at 18-21C (65-70F) until after germination which takes 7-10 days. Can also be sown direct outdoors once the soil has warmed sufficiently. Sow in 15cm (6in) apart, 4cm (1½ in) deep.Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for a few days before planting out after all risk of frost has passed. Grow as for Runner Beans and support with canes or netting.Hoe regularly and keep well watered, especially when flowering. Mulch during dry periods.