Unwins Cannellini Bean Sorano Seeds

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

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

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

Each sowing of dwarf beans has a fairly short harvest period; sowing successive batches will give a longer crop. Use thin sticks to keep plants upright and pods off the soil. Pick regularly, once they are about 10cm long and snap easily. Dwarf beans freeze well; simply blanch them in boiling water for a minute or two then drain, allow to cool and bag them for the freezer. Alternatively, leave the pods on until fully mature, harvesting when dry, but before the first frost. Don't pick after rain. Remove beans from pods, lay out in a warm place to dry until hard. Store in an airtight jar.