Broad beans have been chosen by the National Trust as one of the top-three veg to grow in winter, as part of its Food Glorious Food campaign aimed at encouraging the next generation to grow their own.

Sowing at this time of the year means they won’t be attacked by pests, while children love picking them and eating them straight from the pod – a great way to get them eating vegetables.

Only attempt autumn sowing if your plot is sheltered, free-draining and in a mild area – and choose a hardy variety. For all other locations it’s better to sow under cloches in early spring. Early beans can be harvested from May onwards.

They aren’t too fussy about soil requirements, but will do better if well-rotted organic matter is dug into the ground before planting.

Sow seeds individually at a depth of 5cm with a dibber or pencil, 23cm apart in small blocks or double rows. Aim for a series of successional sowings of around 10 seeds and, if you sow your beans in autumn, delay the first spring sowing until the weather has warmed up enough for the autumn beans to have put on some strong growth.

As they grow, stake plants to bamboo canes – when the young beans appear at the base, pinch out the growing tips, nipping off the top of the stem with two pairs of leaves attached.

Harvest the beans before they become starchy, removing the pods from the base of the plant first and working upwards.

Good varieties include ’Aquadulce Claudia’, which can be sown outdoors in autumn if the soil is still warm.

As part of its campaign, the National Trust will mark the start of the winter growing season with a series of events including winter vegetable workshops and cookery demonstrations. See www.foodgloriousfood.org.uk for more details.