Mr Fothergill's Runner Bean Scarlet Empire Seeds, Improved ‘Scarlet Emperor’, with stringless pods and disease resistance. Delay sowing if soil is cold or waterlogged. Pick beans regularly to encourage further cropping. Runner beans make an attractive feature in the flower border if space is limited elsewhere.

Sow indoors for surest results, 2.5cm deep into individual pots of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20°C.is ideal. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 7-14 days. Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out 25cm apart, when frosts are over. Allow 45cm between rows. Provide poles or netting for plants to climb. Or sow outdoors for ease, where they are to crop, 5cm deep, directly into finely prepared soil which has already been watered. Delay sowing if soil is cold or waterlogged. Sow two seeds together, 30cm between each position. Allow 45cm between rows. Thin to leave stronger plant. Water well until plants are established. Provide poles or netting for plants to climb. Pick beans regularly to encourage further cropping.

• Improved ‘Scarlet Emperor’ with prolific crops of long slender, smooth beans, on vigorous plants
• Bred to have greater tolerance against disease but to retain a great flavour
• Good source of vitamin C, and fibre

Sow time: Apr-Jul
Flowering/Harvesting time: Jul-Oct