Aptly named as one of the quickest beans to produce pods to pick. As well as being very early. Speedy is also very productive. Fleshy, mid-green pods, 13-14cm (5-6in) long. Very early for your first pick of the season.

Sow mid April in pots indoors to plant outdoors late May. Sow early May to July outdoors. Sow seeds individually in 7.5cm (3in) pots at 18-21C {65-70F) from mid-April for tiansplanting outdoors after all risk of frost has passed. Alternatively sow direct outdoors in warm soil, although germination can be erratic in cold, wet soils, from May to late July. Sow 2 or 3 seeds 5cm (2in) deep, allowing 20cm (8in) between each group of seeds and 45cm (18in) between rows with no need to thin out.

Use cloches to aid establishment of earliest sowings. Hoe regularly and keep well watered and mulched during dry periods. Harvest regularly whilst young for highest yields and to extend the season.

Cook filet/pencil types whole or slice flat types. Harness their flavour by gently steaming. Excellent drizzled with a delicious cheese sauce. NEVER EAT PODS RAW.