EXTRA EARLY BEAN IN GRANO VIOLETTO AB
Vicia faba
Unique variety due to its precocity and the purple color of its grains, approximately 6 per pod, with a sweet flavor.
Sowing: Sow in February/March in furrows 50 cm apart and 5 cm deep, one seed every 10 cm, then cover. Earth up the plants when the stems reach 30 cm in height. Hoe and weed.
It is also possible to pinch the stems between the 5th and 7th group of flowers in order to avoid attacks from aphids which generally settle at the top of the plant, this also promotes the development and quality of the pods.
Good associations
Broad beans thrive alongside corn, potatoes, celery, lettuce, and artichokes. However, avoid growing them alongside bulb vegetables (onions, garlic, and shallots). To avoid frequent aphid attacks, we recommend growing dill between rows of broad beans.
Harvesting beans
3 to 4 months after sowing.
The enemies
Mildew can damage broad bean leaves. They become covered with a gray mold and eventually die. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture can be used as a cure at the first signs of disease. A good preventative measure is to spray the soil with Nettle Manure before planting.
Bean rust is notable for the rust-colored blisters it leaves on the leaves. It is treated in the same way as mildew.
Aphids often attack broad beans. If preventative measures have failed, you may want to consider treating your beans with pyrethrum-based aphid control.
