The broad bean variety Medes was sown on 13 April, and harvested 28 July, giving a sowing to harvest interval of 102 days. This interval could be reduced to 90 days, if, when 4 clusters of flowers are showing, the remaining flower spikes are removed. This will induce earlier crops. But it will bring all the beans together - which may not be desirable for a small family. It is often better for the harvest to be spread out. Pinching the later flowers out will also reduce yield, but will help to reduce blackfly.

Medes is a highly productive variety, producing medium sized pods 15cm (6in) long.

Each Medes Broad Bean pod contains 5-6 white beans.

The Medes beans are particularly sweet and creamy. Medes are recommended for freezing, and were the variety used by Birds Eye.

The time to harvest broad beans is when the pods have swollen and the shape of the bean can be seen through the pod, as is the case for the variety, Medes, now.