Fava Bean : Bunyards Exhibition

A gardener's favourite for over 100 years for its reliable performance and heavy crop of long pods in most soils. The pods contain an average of 6 beans, with some up to 8 seeded. Broad Bean Bunyards Exhibition has a very good flavour and excellent for freezing.

Prefers well-drained, moist, rich soil.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Cooking: Fennel is delicious, with a sweet and delicate aniseed flavour. Use in salads and with fish to counteract oiliness. Beauty: An infusion of Fennel used as a compress is excellent for softening rough chapped hands. Pour hot water over the leaves and stems for a cleansing facial steam bath. Nature's Remedy: Reputed use for many ailments, particularly regularising painful and abnormal menstrual periods. It has long been recommended to combat obesity and aid slimming, as an eyewash for sore eyes and as a gentle laxative. Steep 1 tablespoonful of freshly crushed seeds in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Sweeten with honey to taste.

Fennel : Victoria F1 Hybrid

Oustanding yields of large, smooth and pure white bulbs with an enticing and traditional aniseed flavour. Fennel Victoria is a newly bred form which has neat foliage and improved resistance to bolting.

French Bean : Mantra

An early prolific cropper, suitable for growing either under glass or outdoors. Climbing Bean Mantra produces sweet flavoured flat, mid green stringless pods up to 25cm (10in) long. Resistant to Bean Common Mosaic Virus.

French Bean : Purple Teepee

At last, a purple podded bean which bears its pods above the main foliage. This makes picking easier and ensures improved cropping of long straight pods with less soil splashing etc. Dwarf French Bean Purple Teepee produces pods that are approximately 6in long, stringless and slender with that intangible but appreciated zing to the flavour that many vegetable growers agree only comes to the purple podded types. Pods turn brilliant emerald green in boiling water. Quick maturing.

French Bean : The Prince

Long slim oval 16cm (6½in) pods with a magnificent flavour. French Bean The Prince is excellent for freezing and widely grown for exhibition.