Broad beans Growing Guide
Broad beans (Vicia faba) are an easy and productive crop, yielding valuable early harvests. They can be sown from autumn to late spring, offering fresh beans from early to late summer. They prefer a sunny, sheltered site in rich, free-draining soil, and dwarf varieties are suitable for containers or small plots. Broad beans require minimal maintenance, primarily watering in dry spells once flowering begins and regular harvesting to promote further cropping.
This guidance applies to the crop in general. Individual varieties and local conditions can differ.
Planting information
Broad beans can be sown from late winter (indoors or outdoors with protection) or in spring outdoors. In mild regions, late autumn sowing is possible for an early May crop. - **Sowing indoors**: From February onwards, sow seeds individually into small pots or modular trays filled with peat-free multi-purpose compost, 5cm deep with the scar facing downwards. Water well and keep in a bright spot. - **Sowing outdoors**: Usually in March, April, or early May. In milder parts of the UK or sheltered sites, October/November or February sowing is possible using hardy varieties and protecting young plants with cloches or fleece. Sow seeds with the scar facing downwards, 5–7.5cm deep. - **In the ground**: Space seeds 15–23cm apart. Single rows should be 45cm apart, and double rows 23cm apart with 60cm between each double row. Sow extra seeds at row ends for spares. - **In containers**: For dwarf varieties in containers at least 40cm wide filled with peat-free multi-purpose or loam-based compost, sow seeds 5cm deep and 15cm apart. Sow several batches a few weeks apart to extend the cropping season. Young broad bean plants (indoors-grown or purchased plug plants) can be planted outdoors in early to mid-spring after hardening off. Ensure the planting site is prepared in advance with well-rotted manure or compost. - **In the ground**: Plant broad bean plants 15–23cm apart, either in single rows 45cm apart or in double rows 23cm apart, with 60cm between each double row. Water in well. - **In containers**: For dwarf varieties, plant in large containers (at least 40cm wide) filled with peat-free multi-purpose or loam-based compost. Space plants 15cm apart. Position the container in a sunny, sheltered spot and water well.
Harvesting information
Harvest broad beans from late spring to late summer, depending on sowing time and variety. - **For shelling**: Pick pods when full but still relatively small; these beans are sweeter and more tender. The scar on the bean should still be white or green. - **For eating whole**: Pick young, immature pods about 7cm long. - **Method**: Use secateurs or scissors to detach pods to avoid damaging plants. Pods lower down mature first; check every few days as they ripen quickly. - **Shoot tips**: Young shoot tips can also be harvested and used like spinach. - **After harvest**: Once harvesting is finished, cut plants down to the base and compost them. As legumes fix nitrogen, leaving roots in the ground can boost soil nitrogen levels, or dig whole plants into the soil.