The Dwarf Sutton stands out as the preferred broad bean for gardeners dealing with limited spaces, such as small allotments, patios, or exposed sites. Due to its compact nature, it remains less susceptible to wind impact and generally doesn’t require additional support or staking. Despite its smaller size, it still produces a bountiful harvest of 6-inch pods, each filled with delicious beans. When young, the pods can be enjoyed whole, and if left to mature a bit longer, they yield 4-7 tender beans per pod.
In the kitchen, broad beans shine when steamed or boiled. They make an excellent addition to garden vegetable soup, whether incorporated as a puree or left whole. Enhance casseroles with the delightful combination of garden onions, tomatoes, and broad beans. These beans are also ideal for storage, either through drying or freezing. Dried beans can even be reserved for planting in the following year’s crops.
50 Seeds per Packet
Growing Broad Beans, Cultivation Notes
Best sown direct in the early spring into reasonably fertile soil with a pH between 6.5 and 6.8. Sow about 50mm (2 ins) deep in staggered double rows spaced 25 cm (10 ins) apart with the seeds spaced at 20cm (8 ins) in the rows. Allow 60cm (24ins) between double rows.
Germination may be slow in cold weather, the optimum germination temperature is between 8ºC and 15ºC. Heavy rain can cause some germination failures and seeds can be eaten by pests. To cover any gaps start some off in pots or deep root trainers undercover, about a week or two after sowing direct. Any surplus plants can go in at the end of the row.
Once the pods begin to set, pinch out the tops to deter blackfly.
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