Vicia faba 'Karmazyn' – Robust and tasty broad bean for the vegetable garden

Vicia faba 'Karmazyn' is a robust and productive broad bean variety, known for its deep red-blue pods and large, tasty beans. This vegetable is beloved by home gardeners and professional growers alike for its reliable growth, long harvest period, and high yield. With its upright, robust stems and showy flowers and pods, 'Karmazyn' is both a visually appealing and functional plant for any vegetable garden.

Characteristics of Vicia faba 'Karmazyn'

'Karmazyn' is distinguished by its deep red pods that develop into large, tender beans with a full, nutty flavor. The plant produces sturdy, upright stems with dark green foliage and blooms with light purple flowers before the pods form. This broad bean is a cool-season vegetable, perfect for early and late cultivation in the vegetable garden.

Key Features:

• Botanical name: Vicia faba

• Cultivar: 'Karmazyn'

• Color: Deep red/blue pods, light purple flowers

• Height: 90–130 cm

• Harvest period: 70–90 days after sowing

• Location: Sun to partial shade

• Uses: Vegetable garden, fresh consumption, cooking, freezing

• Winter hardiness: Moderate; can be planted out early in mild climates

Thanks to its sturdy stems and compact growth, 'Karmazyn' is suitable for both solitary use and group plantings and provides a constant harvest of tender beans.

Location and care

Vicia faba 'Karmazyn' grows best in a sunny to lightly shaded location with well-drained, fertile soil. The plant is relatively low-maintenance, but benefits from regular watering during hot and dry periods. For high yields, supporting it with stakes or netting is recommended to prevent stem breakage.

Care tips:

• Sow in early spring or in mild climates in autumn.

• Plant in well-drained, fertile soil.

• Keep the soil slightly moist, but avoid wet feet.

• Fertilize moderately with compost or organic fertilizer for healthy growth.

• If necessary, support the plants with sticks or nets to prevent breakage.

Harvest and use

The pods of 'Karmazyn' can be harvested as soon as they are fully ripe and juicy. The large, flavorful beans are suitable for fresh consumption, cooking, steaming, freezing, or using in stews, salads, and other dishes. Their full flavor and firm texture make these broad beans highly sought after by home cooks and fresh vegetable lovers.

Ecological value

Vicia faba is a member of the legume family (Fabaceae) and has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, increasing its fertility and benefiting other crops. The flowers attract bees, bumblebees, and other pollinators, promoting biodiversity in the vegetable garden. These properties make 'Karmazyn' an ecologically valuable choice for sustainable gardens.

Why choose Vicia faba 'Karmazyn'?

'Karmazyn' offers a perfect combination of flavor, yield, and ecological value. The large, tender beans, deep color, long harvest period, and ease of cultivation make this broad bean a reliable choice for any gardener. Whether eating fresh, cooking, or freezing, Vicia faba 'Karmazyn' delivers a delicious harvest and contributes to a healthy, fertile garden.