Optica is an excellent modern variety of broad beans. They have masses of pods and are very productive.
Optica-broad-bean-pods
To Sow Optica Broad Beans:
- sow outdoors from February to June
- 10cm/ 4inches apart
- rows 60cm/24inches apart
- click this link to buy seed from Unwins
Optica broad beans have a compact growing habit which make them ideal for small gardens, where space is at a premium. They are lower growing than many broad beans but still need staking.
broad-bean-plant-Optica
Optica broad beans produce medium length pods with 4 or 5 white beans per pod.
open-pod-Optica-broad-bean
The pods are quite tender & if picked when very young the pods can also be eaten.
optica-broad-bean-plant
Optica has a good flavour and the beans freeze well.
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[...] is for people keen on the aesthetics of their veg ~ productivity is very feeble compared to TopVeg’s ‘Optima’. I’ve called the strain ‘Midwinter’ because that’s the name of my allotment [...]
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