Broad Bean De MonicaPea&Bean (4782)

De Monica is a dual-purpose, disease-resistant broad bean, at its best when sown to overwinter for the earliest possible spring crop, though a spring sowing also matures fast and reliably. The plants have a strong, upright habit with two to three stems each, and the pods — holding five or six large, flavoursome white beans — are held up off the ground, keeping them clean and easy to pick. Sow indoors January to March, or direct outdoors March to April or October to November, in double rows spaced roughly 25cm apart. Pinch out growing tips once in full flower to discourage blackfly, and pick the beans as young as possible for the best flavour; very young pods can even be cooked and eaten whole.