Broad Bean 'The Sutton'

Where to Plant
Choose a sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. 'The Sutton' is particularly useful in smaller gardens and more exposed positions thanks to its naturally compact habit. Avoid cold, waterlogged ground when planting in autumn and work in plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure before planting.

Planting
Space plants around 20cm apart, with approximately 45–60cm between rows. Plant each plug so the surface of the compost sits level with the surrounding soil, gently firm around the roots and water thoroughly. Keep newly planted plugs watered while they establish, particularly during dry autumn weather.

Growing in Containers
'The Sutton' is particularly well suited to containers thanks to its dwarf habit. Choose a large, stable pot with drainage holes and fill with good-quality multipurpose or vegetable-growing compost. Several plants can be grown together in a suitably large container, provided they have enough room to develop without becoming overcrowded.

Watering & Feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist while plants establish. Once growing strongly in the ground, water thoroughly during prolonged dry spells and pay particular attention once flowering begins and the pods start to swell, as a lack of moisture at this stage can reduce pod development.

Container-grown plants need closer attention because compost dries out and loses nutrients more quickly than garden soil. Check pots regularly and water when the compost begins to dry. Once flowering starts, apply a high-potash liquid feed, such as tomato feed, following the manufacturer's instructions, to support flowering and pod development. Plants growing in fertile garden soil usually need little additional feeding. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers and beans.

Winter Protection
'The Sutton' is hardy, but young autumn-planted plugs can benefit from protection during severe winter weather. In colder or exposed gardens, cover plants with horticultural fleece during periods of hard frost or particularly cold winds.

Good drainage is equally important through winter, especially for plants in containers. Make sure excess water can drain freely and don't leave pots standing in water. Check plants after severe weather and gently firm them back into the soil if frost has lifted them.

Supporting Your Plants
Growing to only around 45cm tall, 'The Sutton' is naturally sturdy and usually needs little support. In particularly exposed positions, a few twiggy sticks or short canes around the plants can help prevent stems being damaged by strong winds.

Pinching Out
Once the lowest flowers have formed small pods, pinch out the soft growing tips. This encourages the plants to concentrate their energy on the developing pods and removes the tender growth favoured by black bean aphids. The young tips are edible too and can be lightly steamed or stir-fried.

Pests & Problems
Keep an eye on the soft growing tips for black bean aphids, particularly from spring onwards. Small colonies can be removed by hand, while encouraging natural predators such as ladybirds and hoverflies can help keep populations under control.

Broad beans can also be affected by chocolate spot and rust, particularly in damp or humid conditions. Give plants enough space for good air circulation, avoid overcrowding and remove badly affected leaves if problems develop.

Good Companions
Grow broad beans alongside lower-growing crops such as lettuce and spinach, which can make use of the space around the plants. Flowers such as calendula can also help attract pollinators and other beneficial insects into your vegetable garden.

Make the Most of Small Spaces
The compact habit of 'The Sutton' makes it particularly useful in raised beds and smaller vegetable gardens, where taller broad beans could shade neighbouring crops. Container-grown plants can also be positioned alongside other productive patio crops.

Crop Rotation
Broad beans belong to the legume family, so avoid growing broad beans, peas or other legumes in exactly the same position year after year. Rotate them with other vegetable groups to help reduce the build-up of soil-borne pests and diseases.

After Harvest
Broad beans are legumes and form nitrogen-fixing nodules on their roots. Once cropping has finished, cut the plants off at soil level and leave the roots in the ground to break down naturally, adding organic matter back into the soil. Healthy top growth can be added to your compost heap.

When to Harvest
Autumn planting gives 'The Sutton' a head start towards an early crop. Start checking the lowest pods first, as these generally mature before those further up the plant.

Pick Young for the Best Flavour
Harvest when the pods are well filled but the beans inside are still young and tender. 'The Sutton' produces pods up to around 15cm (6in) long, typically containing around six white beans.

Try Young Pods Whole
Very young, immature broad bean pods can be picked before the beans inside become large and cooked whole.

Check the Beans
As the beans mature, the small scar on each bean changes from pale green or white to darker in colour. For the most tender beans, harvest while this mark is still pale rather than waiting until the beans become large and tough.

Harvest Carefully
Pick regularly as the crop develops. Cut or carefully snap the pods from the plant rather than tugging them, which can damage stems and neighbouring pods.

Flavour
'The Sutton' produces tender white beans with a fresh, slightly sweet broad bean flavour. Pick them while they're young and succulent for the best texture and flavour.

Best Enjoyed
Steam or boil young beans briefly and serve simply with butter, or add them to salads, risottos, pasta dishes, soups and seasonal vegetable dishes. Larger beans can be slipped from their outer skins after cooking for an even softer texture.

Storage
Broad beans are best enjoyed as fresh as possible after picking. Store unshelled pods in the fridge for a few days and shell them shortly before cooking.

Freezing
Broad beans freeze well. Shell the beans, blanch briefly in boiling water, cool quickly in iced water, drain thoroughly and freeze in portions.

Plug Plants
Supplied as healthy young plants with well-developed roots, plug plants are ready to be planted straight into their final growing position or potted on if preferred. Water well on arrival and keep the compost evenly moist while they establish.

Garden Ready Plants
Our Garden Ready plants have been professionally grown on, making them larger, stronger and ready to plant straight into the garden. They establish quickly, giving you a useful head start towards your harvest.

9cm Potted Plants
Supplied in individual 9cm nursery pots, these well-established plants are ready to plant straight into vegetable gardens, raised beds or allotments. Simply plant, water thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist while they settle in.

Upon Arrival
Remove your plants from their packaging as soon as they arrive and give them a thorough watering. If you can't plant them immediately, keep them in a cool, sheltered spot out of direct sunlight and drying winds, ensuring the compost remains moist until you're ready to plant.