Broad Bean 'Marson'
Vicia fabaA rare Sicilian variety treasured for its huge 30 cm pods, each crammed with up to 12 plump beans. Compact, sturdy plants grow to just 1.5 m, yet yield heavily with rich, buttery beans full of traditional flavour. Passed down through generations, broad bean Marson brings the authentic taste of southern Italy straight to your garden—a must-grow heirloom worth saving and sharing.
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Broad Bean 'Marson'
A true taste of southern Italy, this exceptional broad bean carries the story of generations. The seeds were first brought from Sicily by a local brickie and passed on to his mate Eddie, whose Italian friend instantly recognised them: “These are the broad beans we had in Sicily when I was a kid!”
Unlike most modern strains, Marson produces impressively long pods reaching up to 30 cm, each packed with as many as 12 plump, creamy beans—often twice as many as standard varieties. The plants themselves are compact and sturdy, noticeably shorter than most broad beans, yet loaded with pods from top to bottom.
This heirloom is as productive as it is flavoursome, thriving in cool weather and delivering rich, buttery beans that shine fresh, dried, or stirred through a rustic pasta or soup.
Marson is more than a broad bean—it’s a living taste of Sicily and a story worth passing on. Grow it, share it, and keep the heritage alive.
Seeds kindly donated by Eddie Marson
Broad beans can be planted from autumn to spring, but must be done so that they finish flowering before the daytime temperature reaches 20 deg C. Preferring slightly alkaline soil, the addition of some lime is beneficial in more acid soils. Reasonable amount of air circulation to prevent fungal diseases is required. The best solution is to place stakes at the end of the rowsand tie string from stake to stake to support them. Pinch 10cm off the top of the plants as the flowers are fading to help 'set' the pods. Pick when young for maximum tenderness.
