Borlotti Bean 'Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco 2' Seeds

Overview

Borlotto Bean Lingua di Fuoco is a fantastic addition to the veg patch it not only looks great with red/green stripey pods but as they are virtually impossible to buy fresh in the supermarkets the beans make an unusual addition to the dinner plate.

This is a climbing variety that produces bright red pods filled with kidney shaped beans that are pale green with red flecks. These marking do fade a little when cooked. They will need to be picked & used within a week if you want them fresh otherwise they can be dried & used when required but will need to be soaked in water overnight before using. Have also heard they can be frozen when fresh and used straight from the freezer but not tested this method.

The Italians use borlotto beans in their minestrone soups but they are also useful in stews to add an extra creamy texture or on a fresh salad with a light dressing and they also make a great beans on toast with a homemade tomato sauce.

They are not prolific producers like runner beans but produce a good quantity of quality beans that so deserve their space in the garden. They grow well in containers so good for small gardens too!

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Seed qty (approx)	40
Sowing months	April, May, June
Site conditions	Any, but especially sunny site.
How to sow	Indoors: April-May. Soak seed in warm water for an hour or so to aid germination. Sow 1 or 2 seeds in a pot of compost, 2.5 cm deep. Water and firm soil gently. Cover with glass, polythene or place in a propagator and keep at about 15°C. Remove lid when seedlings appear pull out the weakest seedling when big enough to handle. Gradually acclimatise during the day in late May so as to avoid frosts. Then plant out 25cm apart and 60cm apart in rows. Outdoors: May to Early June. Soak seed in warm water for an hour or so to aid germination. In a prepared seed bed sow 2 seeds together 5cm deep spacing 25cm apart and 60cm between rows.
Care	Indoors: They are hungry plants so when planting put a lot of organic matter at the roots. Feed with a high potash fertilizer 2 or 3 times when in flower. Support will be needed either with canes or a wigwam of sticks etc as they can grow to 6ft. Outdoors: When big enough to handle remove the weaker seedling. They are hungry plants so when planting put a lot of organic matter at the roots. Feed with a high potash fertilizer 2 or 3 times when in flower. Support will be needed either with canes or a wigwam of sticks etc as they can grow to 6ft.
Harvest	July to October when the plants have coloured up. The pods can also be left on the plant to mature and dry out.
Information	N/A

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