Mr Fothergills - Vegetable - Soya Bean Fiskeby - 50 Seeds

Ideal for the cooler British climate. This Swedish heirloom has a good vigour for a shorter growing season and is ready to harvest when leaves fall off.

Beans can remain on the plant, or any spare can be shelled and stored in an airtight container. Taste is fresh and beans are used heavily in Japanese cooking. Good source of folate and fibre.

Caution: beans must be thoroughly cooked before eating.

Sow indoors: for surest results, 2.5cm(1in) deep into individual pots of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20oC(60-68oF) is ideal. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 7-14 days. Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out 25cm(10in) apart, when frosts are over. Allow 45cm(18in) between rows.

Sow outdoors: for ease, where they are to crop. 5cm(2in) deep, directly into finely prepared soil which has already been watered. Delay sowing if soil is cold or waterlogged. Sow two seeds together, 30cm(1ft) between each position. Allow 45cm(18in) between rows. Thin to leave stronger plant. Water well until plants are established. For the earliest crops sow in April, protect with cloches once planted out until pods form. The crop is ready once the leaves have fallen off. They can remain on the plant until required or shell and store in airtight container.