Bean Seed - Borlotto Bean 'Lingua di Fuoco'
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Bean Seed - Borlotto Bean 'Lingua di Fuoco'

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Lingua di Fuoco'

This is a duel purpose bean that produces spectacular pods splashed with red stripes - Lingua di Fuoco literally translates as Tongue of Fire.

These are in effect a Climbing French Bean and can be eaten young in the pod either raw or cooked (they look stunning chopped into salads), or they can be shelled and used like a flageolet bean, or shelled and dried. The handsome red speckling disappears when they are cooked.

Borlotto beans are basically the Italian version of kidney beans, hailing originally from the New World; Italians traditionally use them in soups and stews.

Supplied as a packet of approximately 30 seeds.

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How To Sow & Grow Borlotto Beans

For Growing In Rows
Sow April - early July, 2 seeds per station 4" apart in rows 30" apart. Sow in 2" deep drills
Provide support for these to climb up to a height of around 6 - 8 feet using netting, a bamboo cane structure or similar.

For Borlotto Bean Wigwams
Using a dustbin lid or similar as a template, drive into the ground six eight foot canes and tie together at the top to produce a wigwam effect.
Plant 2 seeds 2" deep at the foot of each cane.

Top Tips
Thrive in warm conditions and so are an ideal crop to grow under protection - greenhouse or polytunnel.
Whilst they will prove drought tolerant, good watering from flowering time onwards will ensure maximum pod development.
Mulch around the stems in early Summer

For something completely different and to maximise crop space try growing Borlotto beans using the Three Sisters method.