Vicia faba
Early Longpod broad beans are an excellent green-seeded variety, producing very long pods and giving high yields of well flavoured beans.
Broad beans grow well in most soils and like all legumes are a fantastic soil improver.
Plant Height: 1.2m.
How To Grow
Prepare double rows 30cm apart, 5cm deep, sowing seeds 25cm apart. If more than one double row is to be planted allow 60cm between them. Pinch out the top of the plants when pods are 7-10cm long. This will encourage an earlier crop of well filled pods and help to deter blackfly.
Broad Beans like a rich, well dug soil but most soils will give a satisfactory crop. If possible feed the soil before sowing with a general fertiliser. Pick regularly to ensure a continuous supply. Seedlings emerge 10-14 days.
Will require support by way of staking or trellis to assist the plant holding up the weight of the harvest.
When To Plant
Plant these bean seeds in autumn and early Winter. In warmer climates, plant in winter for a spring harvest.
Harvest: 12-14 weeks.
Flowering: 8-10 weeks.
Sow: Autumn, Winter.
Important Note
Flower drop is a common problem in early Spring due to low temperatures. Pod-setting improves with warmer weather and increased bee activity.