Grow broad beans that really live up to their name with RHS Broad Bean Imperial Green Longpod Seeds by Mr Fothergills. This classic variety is famous for its extra long pods and generous yields which makes it a firm favourite for exhibition benches and family kitchens alike.
Imperial Green Longpod produces impressive crops of straight pods that can reach up to 30cm in length. Each pod can contain up to 9 large green beans with delicious flavour and a creamy texture when cooked. Pick them young while the beans are still small and tender for the sweetest taste or leave a few pods to mature for a richer earthy flavour in soups, stews and purees.
Plants are strong and upright, typically reaching 100 to 120cm tall, and perform well in traditional rows on the allotment or veg patch. The long pods hang neatly along the stems which makes picking easy and allows good air flow around the plants. Regular harvesting encourages plants to keep producing so you can enjoy a long season of fresh beans from early summer onwards.
Sow from February to May. For the earliest crops, start seeds in pots of moist compost under cover then plant out once the weather improves. For direct sowing, use a prepared seed bed in full sun and sow in wide double rows with plenty of space between plants. Keep soil moist and weed free, and use simple stakes or string supports in more exposed gardens to keep the tall plants steady. Harvest from June to August while beans are still small and tender for the best eating quality.
Imperial Green Longpod carries the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit which confirms that it performs reliably in UK gardens. As part of the seed range produced by Mr Fothergills in partnership with the RHS, this variety has been thoroughly trialled for yield, flavour and overall garden performance so you can sow with complete confidence.
Botanically known as Vicia faba, this broad bean sits within the peas and beans family and partners beautifully with peas, runner beans and French beans in a productive kitchen garden. With its exhibition sized pods and dependable harvests, it is a superb choice for both show growers and everyday home cooks who appreciate generous tasty crops.
