The seed in your Karmazyn packet may be a dark wine red but when you harvest them they are a most unusual pink colour (much of which is retained when steamed). The plants are robust, prolific and, at 60cm tall, ideal for a windy plot. The flavour is outstanding.
SOW: in spring. We start all our beans in pots (seed depth 50mm) and then plant out, you can sow them in situ and protect with cloches while they get going. February to April indoors, March to May outside (late sowings are fine in the open).
GROW: if pot sown grow on and plant out when about 15cm tall. We grow our beans in triple rows; this does seem to help keep the plants upright. Early sowings will be ready in June; later ones will take you through to August.
ENJOY: when in full flower the tops can be pinched out for use as greens. This will restrict the height. Pick when the beans begin to show before the pods are too large. Fresh broad beans from the garden are a taste not to be missed. To Freeze – shell, blanch for 3 minutes, plunge into cold water, drain and pack into portions.
And that seed colour? If you dry any or your seed s you will see them changing from pink to that dark red.
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