Broad Bean 'Karmazyn'

'Karmazyn' is a unique and decorative broad bean variety from Poland that is perfectly suited to the British kitchen garden. Unlike the standard green or white-seeded beans, 'Karmazyn' produces striking pink-to-chestnut coloured beans that retain their hue when cooked if handled gently. The plants are relatively compact and bushy, reaching about 60-70cm in height, which makes them less prone to wind damage than taller heritage varieties. This makes them ideal for smaller plots or even large containers. The beans have an exceptional, sweet gourmet flavour and a thin skin. It is a spring-sown variety, usually planted from March to May, for a harvest in mid-summer. Like all broad beans, it is a nitrogen-fixer, improving the soil for subsequent crops. It is particularly susceptible to black bean aphid, so pinching out the growing tips once the first pods have set is a recommended practice to maintain plant health and boost yields.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Rich, well-drained, heavy soil.

Hardiness: H3 — down to −5°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.