Quartz stands out with a slight glossy shine to the dark green pods it produces - this subtle sheen catches the light and Quartz is a lover of sun and warmth making it amongst the best for a hot garden or for growing in a polytunnel or greenhouse (where it will benefit the tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines that might already be in residence in these protected boarders). Alongside its heat tolerance Quartz is disease resistant, heavy cropping, white flowered & white seeded and take about 10 weeks to first pickings.
SOW: start these off in pots or modules placed in an unheated greenhouse or even on a window during April or May. You can sow directly into the soil but wait until mid-May as they really do not like cold soil. You can also sow in July (or August in mild areas) and for a crop in early to mid-autumn time.
GROW: plant out after hardening off when about 15cm tall after all frost danger has passed. Being a dwarf variety Quartz should not need any support except if your garden catches the wind. Quartz has good heat tolerance – among the best for greenhouse or polytunnel growing. French Beans are self-pollinating. They cope well with drier summers.
EAT & ENJOY: pick the dark green pods at the size you prefer and cook whole or sliced. Quartz pods can reach 17cm, we prefer to pick them earlier than this which also encourages more beans to be produced! All French beans freeze well
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