Legume vegetable seeds

Beans that change color during cooking. Purple Teepee is a gardening phenomenon: on the bush grows beans with intensely purple pods (a visual effect that is a hit), but after putting them into boiling water – within 30 seconds – the pods change color to classic green. Magic, but also a practical benefit: the purple color makes harvesting easier (they are easier to spot among green leaves).In brief Type: dwarf green bean, early Pods: purple (raw) → green (after cooking) Pod characteristics: long, stringless, slightly curved Habit: dwarf (without poles) Sowing outdoors: early May – mid July Position: sunny, warm Number of plants per pack: ~160 Number of seeds per package: 40 g (30 g + 10 g free) What distinguishes this varietyEarly, abundantly yielding dwarf variety. The purple color of the pods comes from anthocyanins (the same as those in berries and dark grapes) – after high temperature (cooking) anthocyanins break down and the natural green of chlorophyll returns. Pods are long, stringless, slightly curved, very tasty.Cultivation step by stepSowing (early May – mid July, outdoors): sow seeds directly into the ground with spacing of 35–40 × 7–10 cm, at a depth of 2–3 cm. After the cold gardeners – beans do not tolerate frost.Position: sunny, warm, fertile and well-drained soil, preferably in the second year after manure.Care: regular watering (especially during germination, flowering, and pod setting). Loosen soil, weed. No nitrogen fertilization.Harvest (July – September): purple pods are easy to spot among green leaves – a huge advantage of this variety. Harvest regularly every 2–3 days when pods are long but seeds inside are not yet developed.UsageClassically like any green bean: for cooking (surprise guests – put in purple, take out green!), for preserving (keeps purple color in marinade!) and freezing. Great raw for salads (then it keeps the purple color – visually fascinating plate). Perfect for children’s parties – “magic bean”.Gardener’s tipRaw it is purple – after cooking green. If you want to keep the purple color: cook al dente, max. 3 minutes and rinse with cold water (cooling stops anthocyanin breakdown). Or don’t cook at all – eat raw (young pods are tasty). Purple beans in a salad are an attraction guests will remember for a long time.Specification Latin name Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus Variety Purple Teepee Type dwarf green bean, early Pod color purple → green (after cooking) Pod characteristics long, fiberless, slightly curved Habit dwarf Position sunny, warm Seasonality annual plant Sowing time early May – mid July (outdoors) Harvest time July – September Spacing 35–40 × 7–10 cm Number of plants per pack ~160 Net weight 40 g (30 g + 10 g free) Manufacturer W. Legutko EAN Code 5903837423569

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Classic yellow bean – easy, productive, reliable. Galopka is a classic Polish dwarf green bean with yellow, tasty pods. Undemanding, productive, ideal for beginners and for those who just want good beans without fuss. The dwarf habit means it doesn’t need supports – just plant the seeds, water, and harvest.In brief Type: dwarf green bean, annual Pods: yellow Habit: dwarf (no stakes needed) Sowing outdoors: May 15 – July 15 Harvest: July – September Location: sunny, warm Difficulty: easy Number of seeds per package: 40 g (~150 seeds) What makes this variety specialGalopka green bean is an annual plant with a growing season of 60–90 days. The dwarf habit means it grows to about 30 cm – no staking or netting needed. The pods are yellow, tasty, cook well, and freeze nicely. The bean yields well in the second year after manure – it’s worth planning crop rotation with potatoes or cabbage.Step-by-step cultivationSowing (May 15 – July 15, outdoors): sow seeds directly into the ground, 3–5 seeds per spot, in rows spaced 30–40 × 7–10 cm, at a depth of 2–3 cm. After the cold gardeners’ days (after May 15) – beans do not tolerate frost.Location: sunny, warm, soil that warms up quickly. Fertile, humus-rich, moist soil with pH 6.5–7. Best in the second year after manure.Care: regular watering (especially during flowering and pod setting), loosening the soil, weeding. No nitrogen fertilization – the bean fixes nitrogen from the air.Harvest (60–90 days after sowing): pick pods regularly every 2–3 days while they are still young and tender (before hard seeds develop inside). The more often you harvest, the longer the plant produces.UsesA classic of Polish cuisine: beans Breton style, beans with butter and breadcrumbs, in soups (bean soup), for preserving in jars (for winter), for freezing (fresh quality all year round). Can also be served blanched in salads. For children: cut into strips like fries, baked with parmesan.Gardener’s tipBeans become rubbery on the plate 3–4 days after harvest. Pick in the morning, cook in the evening or the same day. If you can’t eat them in time – freezing is the best option (blanch for 2 minutes in boiling water, cool in ice water, dry, put in bags, freeze). After thawing, quality is like fresh.Specification Latin name Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus Variety Galopka Type dwarf green bean Pod color yellow Habit dwarf Location sunny, warm Seasonality annual plant Sowing period May 15 – July 15 (outdoors) Harvest period July – September Spacing 30–40 × 7–10 cm Net weight 40 g (~150 seeds) Producer W. Legutko EAN code 5903837419579

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Peas that bloom first like sweet peas. Désirée is an original variety of sugar pea that combines the role of vegetable and ornamental plant: plants approximately 100 cm tall are first covered with pink flowers, followed by drooping purple pods filled with green, sweet seeds. It looks like an ornamental climber and tastes like the finest young peas.In brief Pods: purple, with green, sweet seeds Flowers: pink, decorative Height: approx. 100 cm – needs light support Sowing outdoors: March to the end of May Harvest: June – August (approx. 10–12 weeks from sowing) Position: sunny, fertile, moderately moist soil Difficulty: easy – a variety for beginners Number of seeds per packet: approx. 90 seeds (20 g) What makes this variety specialPurple pea pods are rare – their color comes from anthocyanins, the same pigments found in red cabbage and purple beans. In Désirée, the purple is deep, almost ink-like, and contrasts beautifully with the bright green leaves and pink flowers. Inside the pods are ordinary green, sweet seeds that can be eaten like young sugar peas: straight from the garden, cooked, preserved, or frozen. Young pods can also be eaten whole, although the seeds are definitely the best part.Peas are one of the most cold-hardy vegetables – they germinate at just 2–4°C and tolerate spring frosts, so Désirée can be sown as early as March and harvested in June, before the garden gets fully underway. A height of approximately one metre means that a net or a few branches are sufficient for support.Growing step by stepSowing (March – end of May, outdoors): sow in rows spaced 20–35 × 5 cm apart, at a depth of 4–5 cm, in a sunny position. Germination takes 7–14 days, and slightly longer in cool conditions. Sowing in batches every 2–3 weeks will extend the harvest.Thinning: unnecessary – peas like to grow densely, and the plants support one another with their tendrils.Supports: at a height of approximately 100 cm, a net, strings stretched between stakes, or branches pushed into the row will be sufficient. Install the support when sowing to avoid damaging the roots later.Care: fertile, moderately moist soil; water during drought, especially during flowering and pod filling. Nitrogen fertilization is unnecessary. Harvest the pods when the seeds are fully formed but still soft and sweet – usually every 2–3 days.UsesDésirée is a pea for eating raw, straight from the garden – sweet, juicy, and a favorite with children. Any surplus seeds can be preserved or frozen, while the empty purple pods add color to soup stock. Thanks to its pink flowers and dark pods, the plant is also an ornament for the garden: sown beside a low fence, on a net, or in a large pot on a balcony, it looks like a flowering climber. Peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, so after harvesting it is worth planting brassicas or leeks in their place.Gardener's tipHarvest the pods regularly and do not let them ripen on the plant – when the seeds harden, the peas stop flowering. If you plan to leave a few pods for your own seed, do so at the end of the season, on the final plants. After harvesting, do not pull the plants up by the roots: cut them at ground level, and the root nodules will leave nitrogen for the next vegetables.Specifications Latin name Pisum sativum Variety Désirée Pod color purple (green seeds) Flower color pink Height approx. 100 cm Position sunny Seasonality annual plant Outdoor sowing period March – end of May Harvest period June – August Spacing 20–35 × 5 cm Net weight 20 g (~90 seeds) Series Traditional Producer W. Legutko EAN code 5903837428359

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A bean whose pods are measured in tens of centimeters. Yardlong bean, also known as asparagus bean or snake bean, is an Asian relative of the common bean with thin, hanging pods 30–60 cm long. They are fiberless, more delicate and sweeter than ordinary green beans, while the climbing, highly ornamental plant produces crops from the end of July until frost in a warm summer.At a glance Pods: green, thin, 30–60 cm, fiberless Growth habit: climbing annual, 2–3 m, requires support Direct sowing / under cover: May Sowing for transplants: second half of April Harvest: end of July – October Position: very warm, sunny, sheltered from wind; polytunnel Difficulty: moderate – requires plenty of warmth Number of seeds per packet: approx. 35 (5 g) What makes this variety stand outBotanically, yardlong bean belongs to a completely different genus than common bean (Vigna, not Phaseolus) and is closely related to adzuki and mung beans. It originates from the tropics of South Asia, which explains its character: it loves heat and tolerates drought better than common beans, but does not tolerate cold at all. The pods grow in pairs from a single node, reach half a meter within a few days, and are harvested young, while they are still as thin as a pencil.The pods have a delicate, slightly nutty flavor, with no fibers or “papery” shell. Less watery than green beans, they hold up excellently when stir-fried – this is a vegetable used in classic stir-fry dishes. In Poland, it is most reliable in a polytunnel or beside a south-facing wall; in open ground, it needs a truly warm summer.Growing step by stepSowing (May, outdoors or in a polytunnel): only once the soil has reached at least 15–18°C – usually after 15 May. Sow 2–3 seeds per spot, 2–3 cm deep, spacing plants 60–80 × 40 cm along supports. Germination takes 7–14 days.Transplants (second half of April): to get ahead of the season, sow one seed per 8 cm pot at 22–25°C and plant out at the end of May, taking care – yardlong bean does not like its roots to be disturbed.Supports: netting, stakes or strings 2–2.5 m high; in a polytunnel, train it like cucumbers. The stems twine around the support by themselves.Care: water moderately at the base – the plant tolerates short periods of drought but not waterlogging. Mulching and a warm, sheltered position are essential. Nitrogen fertilization is unnecessary (it is a legume). Harvest the pods every 2–3 days when they are 30–50 cm long and still smooth, before the seeds become prominent.UsesYardlong bean is a vegetable of Asian cuisine: stir-fried in a wok with garlic and ginger, used in curries, or prepared as “vegetable spaghetti” whole or cut like green beans – boiled, fried or blanched. It is also suitable for freezing and preserving. The plant is striking, with purplish flowers and long hanging pods on a pergola creating an exotic effect, while also providing good cover for a polytunnel wall.Gardener’s tipYardlong bean reacts to cold immediately – seedlings in cold soil simply stop growing and turn yellow. Wait to sow until nighttime temperatures remain steadily above 10°C, and if growing outdoors, cover young plants with horticultural fleece for the first 2–3 weeks. Pick the pods young: overgrown pods lose their crispness and inhibit flowering.Specifications Latin name Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis Pod color green Height 2–3 m (climbing plant) Position sunny, very warm, sheltered Seasonality annual plant Sowing time under cover second half of April (transplants) / May (polytunnel) Direct sowing time second half of May Harvest time end of July – October Spacing 60–80 × 40 cm Net weight 5 g (~35 seeds) Series Traditional Manufacturer W. Legutko EAN code 5903837426904

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Purple beans you can see from the other end of the garden. Blauhilde is a classic German runner bean variety with dark purple, fleshy pods measuring 20–25 cm in length. They contrast beautifully with the dark green leaves and purple flowers. The plants climb to 3–4 m, covering poles and fences, and the pods turn dark green when cooked – something children love to watch.At a glance Pods: dark purple, 20–25 cm, oval in cross-section, fleshy and stringless Height: 3–4 m, requires support Direct sowing: first half of May (until mid-June) Harvest: from August until frost Position: sunny, warm and sheltered from the wind Difficulty: easy – a variety for beginners Seeds per packet: approx. 35 seeds (10 g) What makes this variety specialBlauhilde is one of the best-known purple beans in the world – a late, exceptionally productive and highly ornamental variety. The pods are thick and fleshy, remaining stringless even when slightly overgrown, and their sweet flavour is more pronounced than that of green varieties. The purple pigment (anthocyanins) disappears during cooking, so the beans are green on the plate – but their intense colour makes the pods especially easy to find among the leaves when harvesting.As a climbing variety, Blauhilde produces a long, staggered harvest until the first frosts, so a few plants can provide beans throughout the entire late season. It also tolerates somewhat cooler summers, which is not something that can be taken for granted with beans.Growing step by stepSowing (first half of May, outdoors): after the last frosts have passed, when the soil temperature is at least 10–12°C. Sow 3–4 seeds per planting station, 3–4 cm deep, at 50–60 × 50–60 cm spacing, with supports already in place. Germination takes 8–14 days.Thinning: usually unnecessary – all seedlings from one planting station can grow together on a single pole. If more than 4 emerge, remove the weaker ones.Supports: 2–2.5 m poles, a bamboo wigwam, netting or a tall fence. Wrap young shoots around the support anticlockwise – they will then manage on their own.Care: water during dry periods, especially during flowering; mulching helps retain moisture and protects the shallow roots. Beans fix nitrogen themselves, so nitrogen fertilisation is unnecessary. Harvest the pods regularly every few days – this encourages the plant to set new ones.UsesBlauhilde is versatile in the kitchen: steamed, in salads, with breadcrumbs or as an accompaniment to meat. Young pods can be eaten raw, while any excess can be frozen or made into pickles and jarred salads. It is also one of the most attractive edible plants: a pergola, fence or pole teepee covered with it becomes a garden ornament and a natural screen from neighbours. It also grows very well in a large container on a terrace with support.Gardener’s tipDo not sow beans too early: in cold, wet soil the seeds may rot, while seedlings that do emerge will still lag behind those sown a week later in warm soil. The purple colour of the pods is a bonus at harvest – you can see every pod, making it harder to miss those that would become overgrown and reduce further production.Specification Latin name Phaseolus vulgaris Variety Blauhilde Pod colour dark purple (dark green after cooking) Height 3–4 m Position sunny, sheltered Seasonality annual plant Direct sowing period first half of May – mid-June Harvest period August – October Spacing 50–60 × 50–60 cm (3–4 seeds per planting station) Net weight 10 g (~35 seeds) Series Traditional Producer W. Legutko EAN code 5903837423002

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Early, hardy, and bursting with large seeds. Kier is an early, very high-yielding broad bean variety with large, tasty, greenish-white seeds. The plants are tall, tolerate cold well, and are highly tolerant of viral diseases – making them ideal for the earliest sowings outdoors, and even better in an unheated polytunnel.In brief Type: early, very high-yielding variety, tolerant of viruses and cold Seeds: greenish-white, very large Sowing outdoors: March–April Harvest: June–July Position: sunny, fertile and moist soil Difficulty: very easy – a vegetable for beginners Number of seeds per packet: approx. 20 seeds (35 g) What makes this variety stand outKier produces strong, upright plants approximately 90–100 cm tall, which set pods low above the ground and evenly along the entire stem. Each pod usually contains 3–5 large, flat seeds with a light green interior and a delicate, slightly sweet flavour – young broad beans are not bitter and can be eaten straight from the garden.Its high tolerance to cold and viruses means that the variety produces a reliable crop even during changeable, wet springs. The producer particularly recommends it for growing under cover, where sowing in February or March allows harvesting as early as late May or early June.Step-by-step growing guideSowing (March–April, directly outdoors): broad beans are one of the first vegetables sown in spring – the seeds germinate at temperatures as low as 3–5°C, and young plants tolerate frosts down to -4°C. Sow in rows 30–40 cm apart, placing 2–3 seeds together every 20–30 cm (or individually every 10–15 cm), at a depth of 4–5 cm. Seedlings emerge after 10–20 days, depending on the temperature.Thinning: when all the seeds in a group have emerged, leave the 2 strongest plants. The seedlings do not need pricking out or transplanting; raising plants in pots (sown under cover in March) can bring the harvest forward by approximately 2 weeks.Growing (April–July): the plants grow quickly and reach a height of 80–120 cm. In windy positions, stretch string between stakes along the rows so that the stems, weighed down by pods, do not fall to the ground. Broad beans fix nitrogen from the air, so nitrogen fertilisation is unnecessary – compost added before sowing is sufficient.Care and harvesting: broad beans are undemanding: water during drought, especially while flowering and setting pods; earth up young plants for stability; and check the shoot tips for black bean aphids. When the lower pods begin to set, pinch out the shoot tips – this is the simplest way to reduce aphids and speed up ripening. Harvest the pods when the seeds are fully developed but still soft and pale – usually 3–4 weeks after flowering.UsesKier is a versatile broad bean: raw, straight from the pod; cooked with butter and dill; or used in spreads, soups and dumplings. The large seeds are easy to peel, so this variety is recommended for freezing and preserving. In the vegetable garden, broad beans are a good preceding crop for brassicas and cucumbers, leaving the soil rich in nitrogen.Gardener’s tipHarvest the pods while the “eye” on the seed (the attachment point) is still pale, white or greenish. Once it turns brown, the seeds harden and require longer cooking and peeling. A difference of just two or three days in harvesting makes a really noticeable difference to the flavour.Specifications Botanical name Vicia faba var. major Variety Kier Seed colour greenish-white, very large Position sunny Seasonality annual plant Outdoor sowing period March–April Harvest period June–July Spacing 30–40 × 20–30 cm (2–3 seeds per group) Sowing depth 4–5 cm Net weight 35 g Series Traditional Producer W. Legutko EAN code 5903837408474

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Fava beans that are pink. Really. Karmazyn is the first Polish fava bean variety with carmine-pink seeds at the edible stage – after cooking, they contrast beautifully on the plate with the green skins. A very high-yielding variety that matures evenly, with seeds considered among the tastiest, recommended for eating raw, freezing and preserving.In brief Type: Polish variety, very high-yielding, with uniform maturation Seeds: carmine-pink (reddish-brown when dried), large Sowing outdoors: late March – April Harvest: July Position: sunny, fertile and moist soil Difficulty: very easy – a vegetable for beginners Number of seeds per packet: approx. 30 (50 g) What makes this variety specialKarmazyn is a Polish-bred variety and a true original: instead of the usual green or white, the seeds are carmine-pink, turning reddish-brown when dried. The colour is not merely visual – the seeds have a delicate, slightly sweet flavour and are valued by chefs. The plants are tall and strong, setting pods evenly and maturing at a similar time, which makes one-time harvesting easier, for example for the freezer.This is a mid-early variety that crops well outdoors in fertile, moist soils. Like all fava beans, it is cold-hardy and can be sown as early as late March.Growing step by stepSowing (late March – April, directly outdoors): fava beans are one of the first vegetables sown in spring – the seeds germinate at just 3–5°C, and young plants tolerate frosts down to -4°C. Sow in rows 30–40 cm apart, placing 2–3 seeds together every 20–30 cm (or singly every 10–15 cm), at a depth of 4–5 cm. Emergence takes 10–20 days, depending on the temperature.Thinning: when all the seeds in a station have emerged, leave the 2 strongest plants. The seedlings do not need pricking out or transplanting; raising plants in pots (sowing under cover in March) can bring the harvest forward by around 2 weeks.Growing (April – July): the plants grow quickly and reach 80–120 cm in height. In windy positions, stretch string between stakes along the rows so that stems heavy with pods do not fall to the ground. Fava beans fix nitrogen from the air, so nitrogen fertilisation is unnecessary – compost applied before sowing is sufficient.Care and harvest: fava beans are undemanding: water during drought (especially while flowering and setting pods), earth up young plants for stability, and check the shoot tips for black bean aphids. When the lower pods begin to set, pinch out the shoot tips – this is the simplest way to reduce aphids and speed up ripening. Harvest the pods when the seeds are fully developed but still soft and pale – usually 3–4 weeks after flowering.UsesKarmazyn is a fava bean for eating raw or cooked, as well as a striking ingredient in salads, fava bean hummus and risotto – the pink colour of the seeds makes an impression on the plate. It tolerates freezing very well and is suitable for preserving. As a legume, it enriches the soil with nitrogen, making it an ideal preceding crop for brassicas and a good neighbour for potatoes and lettuce.Gardener’s tipThe crimson colour is most intense in young seeds that are fully developed but still soft. Do not wait until the pods begin to darken – by then, the seeds will harden and turn brown. However, leave a few pods to mature fully: the dry, reddish-brown seeds will provide your own seed stock for next year.Specifications Latin name Vicia faba var. major Variety Karmazyn Seed colour carmine-pink (reddish-brown when dried), large Position sunny Seasonality annual plant Outdoor sowing time late March – April Harvest time July Spacing 30–40 × 20–30 cm (2–3 seeds per station) Sowing depth 4–5 cm Net weight 50 g Series Traditional Producer W. Legutko EAN code 5903837402618

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Early broad bean with joke-book-sized seeds—huge. Joker is an early, very high-yielding broad bean variety with exceptionally large, meaty and tasty seeds. It tolerates cold very well and is highly tolerant of viral diseases, so it performs well both when sown early outdoors and in a polytunnel, where it produces the earliest harvest of the season.At a glance Type: early, very high-yielding variety, tolerant of viruses and cold Seeds: greenish-white, very large Outdoor sowing: March – April Harvest: June – July Position: sunny, fertile and moist soil Difficulty: very easy – a vegetable for beginners Number of seeds per packet: approx. 20 (35 g) What makes this variety stand outWhen it comes to broad beans, two things matter: seed size and earliness. Joker has both – the pods are thick and well filled, and the seeds are among the largest of the varieties available to gardeners. Thanks to its tolerance of low temperatures, it can be sown as soon as the soil thaws, without worrying about seedlings dying off. The variety is also highly tolerant of viruses, which can significantly reduce broad bean yields in wet years.The producer particularly recommends Joker for growing under cover – in an unheated polytunnel, sown in February or March, it produces its first pods as early as late May and early June, several weeks before broad beans grown outdoors.Growing step by stepSowing (March – April, directly outdoors): broad beans are one of the first vegetables sown in spring – the seeds germinate at just 3–5°C, and young plants tolerate frosts down to -4°C. Sow in rows 30–40 cm apart, placing 2–3 seeds every 20–30 cm (or singly every 10–15 cm), at a depth of 4–5 cm. Seedlings emerge after 10–20 days, depending on the temperature.Thinning: when all the seeds in a planting station have emerged, leave the 2 strongest plants. The seedlings do not need pricking out or transplanting; raising plants in pots (sown under cover in March) can advance the harvest by approx. 2 weeks.Growing (April – July): the plants grow quickly and reach 80–120 cm in height. In windy positions, stretch string between stakes along the rows so that stems weighed down by pods do not fall to the ground. Broad beans fix nitrogen from the air, so nitrogen fertilization is unnecessary – compost incorporated before sowing is sufficient.Care and harvest: broad beans are undemanding: water during drought (especially during flowering and pod formation), earth up young plants for stability, and check the shoot tips for black bean aphids. When the lower pods begin to form, pinch out the shoot tips – this is the simplest way to limit aphids and speed up ripening. Harvest the pods when the seeds are fully developed but still soft and pale – usually 3–4 weeks after flowering.UsesJoker seeds are very tasty raw and after brief cooking – young beans with salt and butter are a summer classic. The large seeds are easy to peel, so they are ideal for freezing, as well as for spreads, salads, soups and preserves. Broad beans are also a good preceding crop and companion plant in the vegetable garden: they enrich the soil with nitrogen, and brassicas or leeks can be planted after them.Gardener’s tipIf you have a polytunnel or even a low tunnel covered with horticultural fleece, sow Joker as early as the end of February, then sow a second batch outdoors in mid-April. Two sowing dates will provide you with fresh broad beans continuously from the end of May to mid-July – and one packet contains more than enough seeds for this.Specifications Latin name Vicia faba var. major Variety Joker Seed color greenish-white, very large Position sunny Seasonality annual plant Outdoor sowing time March – April Harvest time June – July Spacing 30–40 × 20–30 cm (2–3 seeds per planting station) Sowing depth 4–5 cm Net weight 35 g Series Traditional Producer W. Legutko EAN code 5903837402410

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An English classic with the largest seeds. White Windsor is an old, proven broad bean variety with very large, greenish-white seeds and an exceptionally delicate flavor. Mid-late and high-yielding—sown in early spring, it extends the broad bean season by several weeks after early varieties. For eating raw, hot, or preserved.At a glance Type: mid-late, high-yielding variety with very large seeds Seeds: greenish-white, very large Direct sowing: March – April Harvest: July – August Position: sunny, fertile and moist soil Difficulty: very easy – a vegetable for beginners Number of seeds per packet: approx. 30 (50 g (40 g + 10 g free)) What makes this variety stand outWindsor-type varieties originate from England and have been considered the tastiest broad beans there for two hundred years—with short, broad pods and large, flat seeds. White Windsor has light, greenish-white seeds that remain creamy and mealy after cooking, without bitterness. The plants are strong and tall, producing abundant crops in fertile, moist soil.As a mid-late variety, it ripens 1–2 weeks after early varieties—an ideal partner for Joker or Kier if you want to harvest fresh broad beans throughout the summer. Promotional packet: 40 g plus 10 g free, for a total of 50 g of seeds.Growing step by stepSowing (March – April, directly outdoors): broad beans are among the first vegetables sown in spring—the seeds germinate at just 3–5°C, and young plants tolerate frosts down to -4°C. Sow in rows 30–40 cm apart, placing 2–3 seeds every 20–30 cm (or singly every 10–15 cm), at a depth of 4–5 cm. Germination takes 10–20 days, depending on the temperature.Thinning: when all the seeds in a planting station have emerged, leave the 2 strongest plants. The seedlings do not need pricking out or transplanting; raising them in pots (sowing in March under cover) can speed up the harvest by around 2 weeks.Growing (April – July): the plants grow quickly and reach 80–120 cm in height. In windy locations, stretch string between stakes along the rows so that the stems, weighed down by pods, do not fall to the ground. Broad beans fix nitrogen from the air, so nitrogen fertilization is unnecessary—compost added before sowing is sufficient.Care and harvest: broad beans are undemanding: water during dry periods (especially while flowering and setting pods), earth up young plants for stability, and check the shoot tips for black bean aphids. When the lower pods begin to set, pinch out the shoot tips—this is the simplest way to limit aphids and speed up ripening. Harvest the pods when the seeds are fully developed but still soft and pale—usually 3–4 weeks after flowering.UsesWhite Windsor’s large, creamy seeds are excellent raw with salt, cooked with butter, in classic English broad beans with mint, and in cream soups and spreads. The variety is very good for freezing (the seeds retain their texture) and for preserving. In the garden, broad beans serve as green manure—they enrich the soil with nitrogen and are an excellent preceding crop for cabbages and leeks.Gardener’s tipLarge broad bean seeds need plenty of water to get started. Before sowing, soak them for 12–24 hours in lukewarm water—they will emerge more evenly and several days faster. However, do not sow in wet, cold clay: it is better to wait a week for the soil to warm up than to lose half the seeds to rot.Specifications Latin name Vicia faba var. major Variety White Windsor Seed color greenish-white, very large Position sunny Seasonality annual plant Direct sowing period March – April Harvest period July – August Spacing 30–40 × 20–30 cm (2–3 seeds per planting station) Sowing depth 4–5 cm Net weight 50 g (40 g + 10 g free) Series Traditional Producer W. Legutko EAN code 5903837402229

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