About Windsor gourgane
The Windsor broad bean produces a large, tender, and flavorful green bean used to make soups and stews. A classic in Lac-Saint-Jean and Charlevoix. A cool-climate plant that thrives best in zones 2 and 3. Reaches over 1 m.
Growing tips for the Windsor gourgane
Gardening articles related to the Windsor gourgane
Our windsor gourgane seeds are certified organic.
We use natural, eco-friendly methods to grow our plants, without pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. By choosing our organic windsor gourgane seeds, you support a responsible, nature-friendly approach.
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Yves Gagnon
Growing conditions for broad beans
Unlike the common bean, broad bean tolerates temperatures as low as -3°C. The plants thrive in the growing photoperiod, where spring is long and cool. Sudden temperature changes, particularly high temperatures, are detrimental to its fruit set. In Quebec, it is mainly grown in Lac Saint-Jean, Saguenay, and Charlevoix, where temperature conditions are favorable. The proximity of a large body of water moderates the climate, which is beneficial to it. Broad bean prefers cool, deep, humus-rich soils. It needs full sunlight. It tolerates dry conditions well. As with other legumes, it does not require fertilizer. It is not necessary to inoculate the beans, as the Rhizobium associated with them is normally present naturally in untreated soils. When in doubt, inoculate the seeds with the strain Rhizobium leguminosarum var. viceæ , as for peas. The optimal pH for growing broad beans is between 6 and 7.
Crop rotation of broad bean
The broad bean is grown at the end of the rotation after demanding crops.
Companionship of the gourgane
Onions, shallots, garlic, or leeks should not be grown with broad bean, as they will hinder its growth. However, it can be grown with potatoes, rutabagas, beets, carrots, lettuce, or spinach. Savory is said to repel aphids.
— These valuable tips were written by Yves Gagnon, in the book The ecological cultivation of vegetable plants , Colloidal Editions.
