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
    S S S S S          
    T T T T T          
    P P P P P          

(Best months for growing Broad Beans in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

May: Will need supports if windy weather

  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
06 Apr 20, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Plant March to June - 12-22 weeks to maturing,
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10 Feb 20, Anne Brooker (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy the the green fava bean seeds
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11 Feb 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Eden SEEDS.
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23 Oct 19, Brewster (Australia - temperate climate)
how do you know when the bean pod ready to pick..? mine look massive , but when open them there not full size yet? is it a firmness or size..?
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23 Oct 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You can eat the whole pod when Broad beans are young , about 8cm. Otherwise, leave them until the pods feel firm and you can see the outline of the beans.
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01 Jun 19, Diana O’Brien (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Should you plant the “eye “of the seed down or up?
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06 Jun 19, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
Don't think it makes any difference, I just drop them in :-)
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24 May 19, Anne (Australia - temperate climate)
Have been growing Broad Beans for many years. The past couple of years germination has been problematic, but this year is the worst ever. Have planted seeds dry, soaked overnight in water, also weak seaweed solution. No improvement in any method. Used seeds saved from last year's harvest in several patches, and packet seeds expiring Aug 20 and 21 in other patches. Any suggestions or advice most welcome. Thanks!
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01 Mar 19, Ron (Australia - temperate climate)
Are Fava beans suitable for digging back into the ground
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03 Mar 19, mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
All organic matter is suitable to dig back into the soil. Anything that has lived - plant animal. But it needs time to decompose to be available to plants.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 268 comments
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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.

- Prometheus

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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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