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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
01 Jun 09, creative 1 (Australia - temperate climate)
My tip for the year is to consult the moon phases chart before planting seed bearing plants. I find 99% germination with most crops and harvest in peak condition
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Jun 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey Jenny, if your broadbeans are blackish, they may have root rot or maybe a bit too damp. Is the soil heavy or easy draining? Unfortunately it may mean improving the soil to give them a good chance of thriving.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jun 09, Jeff (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My beans have three or four stalks from the base, with others shooting. Should I limit the number of stalks per plant?
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jun 09, Emma (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
If you are affected by aphids/blackfly if you pinch the top of the plant off when the first pods have set then you should avoid this. Don't compost the tops though, they are delicious lightly steamed and tossed in butter and salt and pepper. My broad beans are coming to the end now and only a couple have blackfly, looking at it from the other side of the coin though it does attract the ladybirds !! Good luck !
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jun 09, delia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
i planted broad beans in march and while they look healthy-lots of lushous green foliage-there's not a hint of even a single bean. any ideas, anyone?
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jun 09, Fiona (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Jeff, more stalks mean more beans - no need to do anything! and to Delia, you planted the beans at a great time, now just sit back and be patient as they will slow growth until the weather warms. Expect a crop in Spring!
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jun 09, Emma (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Delia - are there any flowers yet? You get flowers first and then the beans. I plant my beans in the winter in November and they don't start producing beans until April. It's only been a couple of months so you might need a bit more patience ! Good luck :-))
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Jul 09, Marion English (Australia - temperate climate)
My broad beans are growing and flowering beautifully but there does not seem to be any pod growing or am I being impatient. I have never grow broad beans before but have a fairly busy garden with success of flowers vegies etc all year around
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Jul 09, Emma (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Marion, if you have lovely flowers then you'll probably have lovely pods too - eventually !! My pods appeared about 5 months after I planted them but it was a cold wet winter here in Blighty. I think you may need a little more patience but it will be worth it. They're lovely when young with some mint, new potatoes and feta cheese. Yum :-))
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jul 09, marion english (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Emma yes I think patience the essence .Yesterday the local radio station had gardening talk back so called in told themof my problem and he suggested I pinch the top out so have done lthat let you know what happens we are having a cold spell at the moment in the minus,wet and windy
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 21 - 30 of 337 comments
See comments for all plants

The kill temperature for Fava Beans ranges from about -4c to -10c depending on the variety. Furthermore the temperature needs to be sustained; that is 2 minutes at -4c will not kill the fava bean plant; neither will an hour (most likely).... but 48 hours of temperatures consistently below -4c might. When the cold temperature is sustained the cells of the plant explode (freeze); it is the "water transportation system" that gets damaged and the plant can't continue. If you are expecting colder than average temperatures (or colder than you expect your fava beans to be able to handle) - you can cover them with plastic (clear if your keeping it on - anything if you are just putting it on top of them overnight). Tent style is best, but umbrella style (no sides) is also helpful. The most difficult time for the plants is usually around 4am when the "dew" settles, if during cold temp days you can get the plants covered overnight not only will the soil help keep them warm, you are keeping that cold morning sweat off them which can really do considerable damage if temps are cold. Also, high winds work like the morning dew; transporting the cold temperatures into the plant more readily.

- Celeste Archer

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.