Borlotti Bean Tintoretto

For complete versatility, great looks and a wonderful flavour grow this dual-purpose dwarf French bean. The compact plants bear high yields of pretty cream and red splashed pods, which can be cooked fresh from the plant or dried for winter storage. Grow for drying, great in stews and soups. This disease resistant variety yields 6 to 9 beans per pod.

Sow: April to June
Harvest: August to October

Sow Indoors
Sow individually in clean pots or modules of compost, 5 cm deep. Water well. Keep on a warm windowsill or in a propagator, maintaining a minimum of 12°C.

Growing On / Planting Out
Slowly acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out when the risk of frost has passed, 15 to 20 cm apart in full sun, in soil with added organic matter. Keep soil moist at all times.

Sowing Outdoors
Sow direct into the required harvest location, 5 cm deep, 15 to 20 cm apart. Allow 30 cm between rows. Keep soil moist at all times. If planting in containers, choose one at least 30 cm in diameter.

Advice
Use thin sticks to keep plants upright and pods off the soil. Leave the pods on until fully mature, harvesting when dry but before the first frost. Do not pick after rain. Remove beans from pods and lay out in a warm place to dry until hard. Store in an airtight jar. Beans and pods, if picked while young, should be cooked to avoid discomfort when eating.