The very first of the Fortex pole beans were ready on Wednesday when I visited the garden with my almost-seven-year-old granddaughter. I fed one to her like a mother bird giving its baby a delicious worm.

According to the West Coast Seeds catalogue: This stringless French pole bean produces exceptionally long, medium-green pods that grow to over 11”. Fortex can also be harvested at 6-8” for extra slender filet beans. The delicate, sweet flavour is wonderful served fresh or frozen. A vigorous climber.