[peter168]

tried growing butter beans this year and they are outstripping the runners and french beans in growth and flower. Didnt expect this! so didnt read up on how and when to harvest any clues? thanks




edit to change text from blue, which some members find difficult to read

[mumofstig]

what seeds did you plant?

I've grown this one http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/269

and it grows like a runner bean.
Pick them when the pods ar full and fat to eat fresh, or when the pods start to dry, if you want to dry them for winter use

[stompy]

I really really really like butter beans, they're my favourite of all the legumes (even better than peas) but didn't think we would be able to grow them here!

Do they have any special requirements?

[Ralphy]

jelous! i love butter beans, everything i've read says they're impossable to grow here, Well done!

[mumofstig]

This chap grew them ok in Leicestershire
I grew them like runners, but ecause you have to wait for the pods to swell and ripen, you don't get as big a crop as you do picking green beans.

http://pigletsplots.blogspot.com/2007/10/spagna-blanco-butterbeans.html

[Pompey Spud]

Where did you buy the seeds from MoS?
I never knew you could grow these here. Excellent.

[mumofstig]

see my link above   

[plum crumble]

oooh  I never knew you could grow them here either!! Thanks for the link Mum, I shall investigate for next year!!

[stompy]

I wonder if i can get some this year still plant them and get a crop?

I have a spare corner in my greenhouse for a minni wigwam. 

[Pompey Spud]

Didnt look at all the link...lol
Franchi seeds.

[Trillium]

I've not heard of them before. How do they taste and how do you cook them?

[mumofstig]

Trillium, Google seems to think American's would call them lima beans, if that helps 

[stompy]

I've not heard of them before. How do they taste and how do you cook them?

I have only had them out of tins, so cook them in the brine that they come in.
Also had them in paella on holiday and in meals at restraunts.

I would have thought you just cook them like any other bean, you might need to take the skin off the bean as you do with later broad beans.

They ave a creamy starchy (in a good way) texture.

Beat me to the posting Mos.

[Ralphy]

when dried, soak them overnight, and hard boil for a few minutes, then simmer til tender, or add them to slowcooked casseroles and stews, the do a great job of absorbing all the tasty stock when cooking and thicken things up nicely!

[Trillium]

Well, why didn't you call them lima beans in the first place instead of trying to confuse me   

I just love lima beans, particularly the smaller ones. We can buy them frozen at the shops.