These are some of the best varieties of broad bean.

Aguadulce

Awarded the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit Recommended by the Gardening Press and Consumer Groups

Extremely hardy

The ultimate in fine seeded broad beans, with very small, almost round, tender, sweet beans. Well filled pods sit horizontally on the plants for easier picking and contain approx. 5 beans each. 100cm(40in).

White seeded variety - Autumn & Spring sowing.

Broad beans are easy to grow producing large succulent beans, packed with flavour and vitamins. Grow in well dug, fertilised soil.

Outdoors October-February, where they are to crop, 5cm (2") deep, directly into finely-prepared, well-cultivated, fertile soil, which has already been watered. To make the best use of space, sow seeds 23cm (9") apart, in a wide row in a zigzag pattern, leaving a space of 60cm (2') between each row. Seedlings usually appear in 14-24 days. Do not sow in very cold weather or when soil is waterlogged. Water well until plants are established.

Harvest: June-August.

Pinch out growing tips when first pods are approx. 1cm (4") long. This encourages an early crop and helps deter blackfly. Ideal for deep freezing.

Sowings benefit from cloche protection in the early stages of growth or where grown in exposed locations. Protection from birds may be advisable when plants are young.

Bunyards Exhibition

Reliable longpod variety

Popular and versatile, for autumn and spring sowing, 6-8 white seeds per pod for large crops. Full of flavour.

White seeded variety - Autumn & Spring sowing.

Broad beans are easy to grow producing large succulent beans, packed with flavour and vitamins. Grow in well dug, fertilised soil.

Height: 100cm(40in)

Outdoors October-November or February-May, where they are to crop, 5cm (2") deep, directly into finely-prepared, well-cultivated, fertile soil, which has already been watered. To make the best use of space, sow seeds 23cm (9") apart, in a wide row in a zigzag pattern, leaving a space of 60cm (2') between each row. Seedlings usually appear in 10-18 days. Water well until plants are established. Successional sowings will ensure a continuous supply and longer harvest. Or sow indoors February-April, 2.5cm (1") deep into individual pots of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20°C (60-68°F) is ideal. Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out 23cm (9") apart during April-May. Harvest: June-August.

Pinch out growing tips when first pods are approx. 1cm (4") long. This encourages an early crop and helps deter blackfly. Ideal for deep freezing.

Early and late sowings benefit from cloche protection.

Superaguadulce

Largest pods in its class

Classic autumn sowing variety with attractive bright green pods up to 25cm long. High yielding, bushy plants are compact, resilient and extremely winter hardy. Good source of vitamin B1, folate and fibre.

White seeded variety - Autumn & Spring sowing.

Broad beans are easy to grow producing large succulent beans, packed with flavour and vitamins. Grow in well dug, fertilised soil.

Height: 90cm(3ft)

Sow outdoors where they are to crop, 5cm (2”) deep directly into finely prepared soil which has already been watered. To make best use of space sow seeds 23cm (9”) apart in a wide row, in a zig zag pattern leaving a space of 60cm (2’) between each row. Seedlings usually appear in 14-24 days. Do not sow in very cold weather or when soil is waterlogged.

Sowings benefit from cloche protection in the early stages of growth or where grown in exposed locations. Water well until plants are established. Protection from birds is advisable when plants are young.

Pinch out growing tips when first pods are approx. 10cm (4”) long, this encourages an early crop and helps deter blackfly.

For exhibition, ensure pods are uniform and have a portion of stalk attached. Hold pods by the stalk to avoid marking the powdery 'bloom'.

The Sutton

Perfect for small gardens

Abundant crops on dwarf plants, ideal for successional sowings. Hardy, stocky plant, suitable for more exposed locations and small gardens.

White seeded variety - Autumn & Spring sowing.

Broad beans are easy to grow producing large succulent beans, packed with flavour and vitamins. Grow in well dug, fertilised soil.

Height: 45cm(18in)

Outdoors October-November or February-May, where they are to crop, 5cm (2") deep, directly into finely-prepared, well-cultivated, fertile soil, which has already been watered. To make the best use of space, sow seeds 23cm (9") apart, in a wide row in a zigzag pattern, leaving a space of 45cm (18") between each row. Seedlings usually appear in 10-18 days. Water well until plants are established. Successional sowings will ensure a continuous supply and longer harvest. Or sow indoors February-April, 2.5cm (1") deep into individual pots of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20°C (60-68°F) is ideal. Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out 23cm (9") apart during April-May. Harvest: June-September.

Pinch out growing tips when first pods are approx. 1cm (4") long. This encourages an early crop and helps deter blackfly. Ideal for deep freezing.

Early and late sowings benefit from cloche protection.

Valenciana

Very productive, hardy long podded variety ideal for autumn and early sowings

An excellent cold tolerant variety producing long pods, each containing 8-9 large white beans with superb flavour. Crops early before 'spring' sown varieties are ready. Stores well when frozen.

Height: 90cm

Sow outdoors from October to February, Harvest June to September.

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With thanks for the advice and varieties to Johnsons and Mr Fothergill’s.

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This article was written exclusively for Smallholder magazine. For more expertise in growing your own produce, subscribe to the monthly magazine by calling 01778 392011 or emailing subscriptions@warnersgroup.co.uk. It is also available from newsagents.