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 43°F and 75°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 10 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-22 weeks. Pick frequently to encourage more pods.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dill, Potatoes

Your comments and tips

02 Jun 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Candice, you should pull out finished broad bean plants. If possible twist them off to leave the roots to decay in the ground as the bacterial nodules on the roots contain nitrogen which will be fertilizer for whatever you plant next.
31 May 10, Gayle Bailey (Australia - temperate climate)
Half of our row of broad beans have half curled leaves, whole bed was fertilised the same and there is no sign of any bugs. This seems to happen every year and we do crop rotate. Help please.
25 May 10, Paul (New Zealand - temperate climate)
How to prevent the plant falling down each other? "it is best to provide some support with posts and stringusing." I think the best way is to choose a proper time to sow. Sow in May or June rather than Mar or April. Because sow in winter, the plant grows slowly. During spring the plant will grow fast and strong that wouldn't fall.
15 Dec 10, Scott (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
We top our broad beans and that helps them bush out; besides the fleshy plant tips are great for steaming...I like them better than spinach!
11 May 10, Bernie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Gardenate, thank you for the prompt reply.I find the information of seeding of the year very useful , spacing depth of Seed etc, would like a comment about each plant seed, like,' LIKES LIME, ACID SOIL, LOTS OF WATER, WATER SPARINGLY, HOT SUNNY POSITION, etc.You get my drift !Bernie
11 May 10, Chris@Gardenate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Bernie, thanks for your suggestions. Some of that information will be available very soon when I get the crop rotation information into the web site.
02 May 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
My friend said that the best time to sow broad beans is when the moon is between a quarter to almost full. Is he right. Does the moon play a part when sowing crops? Any hints.
05 Apr 10, Robbie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Try growing Egyptian Broad Beans. The beans are smaller then regular BB, But they don't go woody as the pods mature. And they are not affected by frost much at all. The plants are shorter and mature quicker too. I love them
27 Apr 10, Graham (Australia - temperate climate)
Robbie, where do you get the Egyptian broad beans - I haven't seen them anywhere
09 Mar 10, Rob (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
@Lindsay, It's the roots that you plough back into the soil and that provides nitrogen(essential for foliage growth)
Showing 271 - 280 of 344 comments

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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.
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