Heavy cropping, dark green, straight, round pods 15cm (6 inches) long on sturdy upright plants, over a long period. Excellent flavour and good pod colour; ideal for freezing.

Height 45cm (18 inch) sturdy upright plants.

Prefers rich, moist soil in an open sunny situation.

For early crops under glass, sow in heat from February onwards.

Sow mid-April in pots indoors to plant outdoors late May or

Sow early May-July outdoors.

Sow seeds individually in 7.5cm (3 inch) pots at 18-21C (65-70F) from mid-April for transplanting outdoors after frost risk has passed. Alternatively sow direct outdoors in warm soil from late May to late July, although germination can be erratic in cold, wet soils. Sow 2 or 3 seeds 5cm (2 inches) deep, allowing 20cm (8 inches) between each group of seeds and 45cm (18 inches) 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.

Dark pods hold their colour when steamed. Delicious in a cheese or parsley sauce.