Broad Bean De Monica (Vicia faba) is the earliest maturing variety. From a spring sowing, 'De Monica' will be ready to harvest at the same time as many other popular varieties sown in the autumn. Or you can sow in autumn for a super early harvest. Very heavy cropping with pods of around 15cm long.

Broad Bean De Monica grows to a height of 120cm and produces lovely white flowers with painted purple/black lips on the base petals and black veining on the upper ones. It looks lovely with other plants trailed through it like Sweet Peas or Nasturtiums & this attracts bees etc to pollinate the nearby beans too.

High yields of 15cm (6") pods with 4-5 large seeds per pod will be ready to harvest at the same time as winter sown variety 'Aquadulce'. This exciting new variety has a strong root system and an upright growth habit, producing 2-3 stems per plant.

Broad Beans are back in fashion cooked, mashed with garlic & served on a thin French toast with a drizzle of olive oil is delicious & a real taste of summer.

Try companion planting with Summer Savory to keep the aphids away.

Broad Bean De Monica Vegetable Seed Information

Seed Quantity:	Approx 30 seeds per pack.
Site:	Any, although rich free draining soil is best.
When to Sow:	February-June
How to Sow:	Direct sow under cloches in February or without protection from March. Can also be sown under cloches in the autumn for early crops the following year. Prepare soil with well rotted manure or compost. Sow in double rows set 25cm apart and allowing 60cm between each double row or single rows 45cm apart. Sow beans 5cm deep and 25cm apart. Water well. Germination takes 10-14 days.
Care:	They will need support so build a frame using bamboo canes and netting, and as the beans grow twine them through the netting. When the first beans begin to form, pinch out the top 8cm to encourage the plants energy into forming more pods. This also helps to discourage black-fly who love the tender shoots. Make sure crops are well-watered through out the season. It pays to protect the crop with cloches or similar protection in very cold periods.
Harvest:	May to end of July. Harvest pods once beans have begun to visibly swell inside. Harvest plant in stages, starting with the lowest pods first. Small beans are sweeter and more tender than large ones. Pods can be picked when immature to be cooked and eaten whole.

When to Sow Broad Bean De Monica Vegetable Seeds

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

RHS Award of Garden Merit

Broad Bean De Monica Vegetable Seeds have been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (AGM). This award indicates that the plant is recommended by the RHS and helps gardeners make informed choices about plants. [READ MORE]

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