Growing Broad Beans, also Fava bean

Vicia faba : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              P P      

(Best months for growing Broad Beans in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 6°C and 24°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 25 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-22 weeks. Pick frequently to encourage more pods.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dill, Potatoes

Your comments and tips

25 Apr 16, Vera (Australia - temperate climate)
H,i to all the ones who are having trouble with growing broad beans maybe its the type of soil that you use , in my garden bed i mix cow manure, garden compost ,, ,vegie compost , i have done this for a long time , and i have no trouble with growing broad beans , last year i plant the seeds and had a lot of beans i had to give some away , i planted a few weeks again the seeds and i have them growing again , Regards Vera,
06 Oct 15, Barry Coster (Australia - temperate climate)
My broad beans have leaf curl. I don't know what causes it or how to treat it ?
12 Oct 15, Prometheus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Barry, I have had exactly the same problem this year (I am from Central Highlands of Victoria). It's hard to find any information about leaf curl on broad beans via the internet. I have noticed however that it's tended to affect my plants which were overseeded in smaller 25cm containers (most of my plants in larger containers don't have the curl). I suspect that the recent Spring heatwave (we had temps in the mid 30s) has something to do with it - broad beans do not tolerate temperatures above 23 degrees and will start to wilt and die off in the 30s. My diagnosis is probably the combination of unseasonal hot, dry weather and overcrowding is killing them off. This may be the same cause for you if you live in an area that experienced the heatwave. I think you can either leave them and see if they recover on their own, or (which is the course of action I will follow), cutting down the most badly affected plants and leaving some of the others to hopefully regenerate. All the best, P.
11 Aug 15, Pieter Schoeman (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm doing my back yard gardening and want the seed of the Desiree Runner Beans. We had it in our garden when I was little and would like to know where I can get the seeds. Am from Sasolburg in the Freestate
13 Apr 15, sarit (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi can i grow broad beans in container ?
07 Mar 15, Sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it too late to plant dwarf beans? The packet says 'plant in March" ?
31 Oct 14, Jim O'Brien (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted broad bean seeds 30/4 and just about to begin harvest on 31/10/14. That's 180 days. Is there anything I should do to speed up the fruiting process. Thanks
12 Aug 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
you sound like an industry grower. Old saying plant peas or broad beans on Anzac day. I let them do their thing for a while,then a bit of hi Potassium will speed up flowering. But you planted correctly,no worries. Be patient,31 Oct you have a good crop,all other events can adjust.But so far do nothing it's perfect. Gaz
18 Sep 14, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
Fully in flower but plants have leaf curl.
05 Sep 14, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I purchase broad beans in South Africa?
Showing 101 - 110 of 344 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Broad Beans

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.