Broad Bean - Aquadulce Claudia
RHS Award of Garden Merit
A gardeners' favourite. Broad bean 'Aquadulce Claudia' is the best broad bean for autumn sowing, overwintering plants on the plot outside, for an early harvest the following spring. Slender pods of 23cm (9") long, are full of succulent white seeded flavoursome beans.
Companion planting: Try growing broad beans with summer savory to help repel black bean aphids, a common pest of broad beans.
Height: 100cm (39"). Spread: 45cm (18").
1 packet (30 broad bean seeds)
RHS Award of Garden Merit
A gardeners' favourite. Broad bean 'Aquadulce Claudia' is the best broad bean for autumn sowing, overwintering plants on the plot outside, for an early harvest the following spring. Slender pods of 23cm (9") long, are full of succulent white seeded flavoursome beans.
Companion planting: Try growing broad beans with summer savory to help repel black bean aphids, a common pest of broad beans.
Height: 100cm (39"). Spread: 45cm (18").
1 packet (30 broad bean seeds)
RHS Award of Garden Merit
A gardeners' favourite. Broad bean 'Aquadulce Claudia' is the best broad bean for autumn sowing, overwintering plants on the plot outside, for an early harvest the following spring. Slender pods of 23cm (9") long, are full of succulent white seeded flavoursome beans.
Companion planting: Try growing broad beans with summer savory to help repel black bean aphids, a common pest of broad beans.
Height: 100cm (39"). Spread: 45cm (18").
1 packet (30 broad bean seeds)
Sow November to December to overwinter, cloche protection may promote stronger plants. Can also be individually sown in 5cm (2in) pots or seedtrays January to March to transplant if soil conditions allow.
Grow beans in full sun on rich fertile, well manured soil with protection from strong winds. Plant broad beans in double rows set 23cm (9") apart and allowing at least 60cm (24") between each double row. Sow broad beans at a depth of 5cm (2") deep and a distance of 23cm (9") apart within each row and water well. Germination usually takes around 10 days.
When growing broad beans, support the plants by placing a cane or stout stick at each corner of a double row and tying in with string, especially in windy gardens. Keep well watered, particularly as flowers begin to set and hoe between rows regularly. Pinch out the growing tips after the first flowers have set pods to deter blackfly and encourage further pods to set. Harvest broad beans when the pods are well filled and the seed still soft.
