Broad Bean Seeds

Shorter and broader podded than the Longpods, averaging 4 large, dark green beans per pod and amongst the best heritage varieties for flavour. Used to make Brown Windsor soup, also a superb cooked vegetable. Surplus beans will freeze well without discolouring. Slightly later to mature than the Longpods. Height 100cm (40in).

A heritage variety and still one of the best Longpods for flavour. Pods are produced in abundance containing 7 to 8 plump white beans per pod ready to harvest in June. One of the best for freezing, as seeds do not discolour. Height to 120cm (4ft).

A very novel variety with an exceptional colour and flavour, producing 4-5 beans per pod. The beans are best lightly steamed to retain as much of their colour and flavour as possible.

Bred as a gourmet broad bean with a deliciously refined flavour. The early and productive plants produce 5-6 small, fine green beans in easy to pick upright pods.

The ultimate fine seeded variety, with very small almost round, tender sweet beans. The well filled pods sit horizontally on the plants for easier picking and contain approximately 5 beans each.

Prolific crops of 'hangdown' pods approx 15cm (6") long and usually containing 5 medium sized white beans. Medium-sized plants allow for good yields but are still suitable for smaller gardens.

This variety is universally recognised as being best for an autumn sowing. It establishes itself very quickly and will produce a very early crop. It is white seeded and the pods are up to 23 cm (9 inches) long. Height: 90-100cm (36-40in).

A gardeners favourite for over 100 years for its reliable performance and heavy crop of long pods in most soils. The pods contain an average of 6 beans, with some up to 8 seeded. Very good flavour and excellent for freezing.

Prefers well-drained, moist, rich soil.

This is the fastest maturing variety of any broad bean and an early spring sowing will out yield all others. Up to 34 good pods per plant! It is also winter hardy, outstanding for deep freeze as it does not discolour and probably for the same reason is particularly tender and tasty. It replaces Imperial Green Windsor over which it is a considerable improvement.

An excellent dwarf variety only 30cm (12in) high that produces lots of 13-15cm (5-6in) pods each bearing five small, but deliciously tender beans. Very suitable for successional sowings commencing late autumn (under cloches) or late winter/early summer in the open. Ideal for the small garden.

Suitable For Freezing

(White Seeded). One of the best, smaller, slender-podded varieties, gaining in popularity for its early setting of mange-tout pods which can be picked young, just before the beans form. Delicious raw, or steamed and eaten whole. Pick regularly for highest yields. Compact, upright habit, ideal for containers. Can also be grown as traditional pods. Height: 90cm (36 inches).

White seeded pods 15cm (6in). This highly productive variety produces medium sized pods, each containing 5-6 tender, sweet, juicy beans. Suitable for spring sowing. Highly recommended for freezing.

(White Seeded). Perfect for early sowings in February, as this variety shows excellent tolerance to cold weather. Witkiem produces a good crop of plump, well-filled pods with big tasty beans which will be ready to harvest in June. Recommended for home freezing. Can also be sown successionally through to May. Height: 100cm (40 inches).

A heritage variety with stunning crimson flowers, followed by a good crop of short, upright pods and delicious beans. Broad Bean Crimson Flowered is ideal for growing in containers as well as in the garden, or as an ornamental edible in the flower border.

Vicia faba. Compact, upright plant habit, and producing early setting of short, slender pods. Pick regularly for delicious 'mangetout' pods to eat raw or steamed, or allow pods to fill out with tasty small beans. Broad Bean Statissa is ideal in containers.

A very good flavoured broad bean, with good pod length and remarkable table qualities. It may well be the best green-seeded variety, excellent for deep freezing and growing well under all conditions. Height: 75-90cm (30-36in).