Vicia faba
Mr Fothergill's broad beans produce a heavy cropping variety, growing about 1m in height with medium sized pods. Full of flavour and a strong hardy grower, broad beans like a rich, well dug soil but most soils will give a satisfactory crop. Broad beans provide a fantastic source of vitamin C, folate and fibre and are ideal for deep freezing.
Plant Height: 1m
How To Grow
Prepare double rows 30cm (1’) apart, 5cm (2”) deep, sowing seeds 25cm (10”) apart. If more than one double row is to be planted allow 60cm (2’) between them. Pinch out the top of the plants when pods are 7-10cm (3-4”) 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 add a general fertiliser to the soil before sowing. Seedlings emerge in 10-14 days.
May require support by way of stakes or a trellis to assist in holding up the weight of their harvest.
When To Plant
Plant these vegetable seeds from early Autumn to late Winter.
Preferring a cooler climate; broad beans will produce an abundant crop. In warmer regions, plant in winter for a spring harvest.
Harvest
18-20 weeks
Flowering
8-10 weeks
Sow
Autumn, Winter, Spring