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

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28 Aug 12, Jeff (Australia - temperate climate)
Mine have plenty of flowers too - I am in Melb. Don't worry, when the weather warms up further, the pods will form. This is my 3rd or 4th year growing broad beans and they haven't disappointed.
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23 Sep 12, Eileen (Australia - temperate climate)
I grew broad beans the year I lived in Tassie. I probably planted them too early (ignorant in a new climate), but the winter frosts didnt bother them at all. Tassie has the old English bumble bee. Pete Cundall reckoned it kept working down to 2 degrees. I had plenty of pods come spring, but maybe it depends on the weather being right for the bees to pollinate? Anyway, we are eating our first beans of the year - on the NSW south coast. Yep, I probably planted too early here too. Gotta love broad beans
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06 Aug 12, Sonia daou (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am looking to plant now is it too late ? Do i plant put the broad beans seed dry or do i souk them in water for some time ?
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07 Aug 12, Marcus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It's not too late to plant, actually now is the perfect time. I've never soaked them and mine always work. just make sure there is plenty of moisture in the soil.
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16 Jul 12, Brian Vendt (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My broad beans are about a metre high,but still no sign of flowers!!Also,I have had a battle with Aphids in all the top shoots,and have been spraying them.If I pulled them all out,could I put climbers,and dwarf beans,in the same patch?I have above ground veggie garden,and live on the Nerang River,at the Gold Coast.Thankyou.Brian vendt
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06 Jul 12, GLENYS (Australia - temperate climate)
I understand you can dig the plants into the soil to improve the soil. At what stage and when is the correct time to do this? Should I leave beans on the plants or remove them all?
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15 Jul 12, Di (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Broad beans are fabulous for digging in. Lots of good stuff for your next crop of Nitrogen lovers. The question of de-beaning or not is up to you. Have you got enough beans for yourself? If so, dig away. The extra beans in the soil won't hurt a bit.
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06 Jun 12, graeme (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi,my broad beans are starting get leave curl and some are going brown on the tips the plants are only small at this stage
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27 May 12, stuart white (Australia - temperate climate)
when can i plant broad beans in hobart tasmania please
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29 Jun 12, Tassy Michele (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hiya Stuart -- I'm in Launceston and have planted my Broad Beans about a month ago. They have just come through. If you want to plant seeds now I suggest you give them some protection from frost and plant ina place to take best advantage of what sun you get. Planting later?? Refer Gardenate planting guide. PS Tassy is a cool/mountain climate. Hope you grow heaps. Cheers Michele
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The nice thing about fava beans is you don't have to cook them -- and you don't have to shell them (if they are still young -- they are young enough to eat whole UP TO THE point where they have plumped up fully and the pod is NOT YET fibrous -- once the pods are fibrous the pods need to be discarded (keep the beans) because the fibrous pods are too difficult to digest and will cause lots of discomfort). OK -- so I use my young pods raw (entire pod -- and some leaves and stalk) to make a pesto. I use this pesto as a dip. I also chop up the full pod and use them in stews (Garnish with some leaves). I use the leaves and some stalk (chopped up) when I make scrabbled eggs -- adding the fava once the scrambled eggs are about 15 seconds from done -- in other words just incorporating them into the scrambled eggs and then removing from the pan. If your unsure about what I mean when I say fibrous -- if you where to put the full pod in a blender/chopper -- after you chop, look at the mixture -- if the pods where too fibrous you will see "MESH" yes "MESH" -- looks like pieces of wire mesh -- pick these out and discard these. I NEVER DOUBLE SHELL -- the beans are always good -- but may need to be softened up like any dried bean needs to be.

- Celeste Archer

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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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