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 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
  • Broad bean flowering
  • Egyptian broad beans
  • Shelling broad beans
  • Young beans on plant
  • Young broad bean plant

It is a rigid, erect plant 0.5 - 1.7 m tall, with stout stems with a square cross-section. The leaves are 10 - 25 cm long, pinnate with 2 - 7 leaflets, and of a distinct glaucous grey-green color. Harvest 90 - 160 days depending on how cold the weather is.

In windy areas it is best to provide some support with posts and string, otherwise the plants will fall across each other. Pick the tops out once beans start setting to prevent blackfly.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Broad Beans

The fresh beans are eaten steamed or boiled. As the beans mature it is better to remove their tough outer skins after cooking.
The leafy top shoots of the adult plants can be picked and steamed after flowering.
Small beans can be eaten whole in the pods.
Broad beans will freeze well. Remove from pods and blanch.

Your comments and tips

13 Aug 24, Tom Berghella (Australia - temperate climate)
I am having troubles with my broad beans. They all have curly leave and stopped growing. What can I do?
15 Aug 24, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
Curled leaves are usually a sign of distress. There are lots of things that could be distressing the plant -- so you need to provide more information, or figure out what is stressing the plant, then address the issue causing the stress. Is there any white powder (powdery mild) om the leaves? This might be a moisture issue. Or, are there aphids on your plant (little bugs sapping the nutrition from your broad beans) ? Could you be overwatering or underwatering ? Any chance of a nutritional deficiency (potassium, nitrogen, molybdenum, magnesium) ? Are there any climate issues (like wildfires create a lot of smog - that can stress plants). Is it perhaps too hot in your area: from the net: Like peas, favas grow best when temperatures are 60˚ to 65˚F (15c - 18c) and soil is moist. Temperatures much over 80˚F (27c) result in loss of quality, reduced production, and pest problems.
21 May 24, Phil Knight (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 10+ year old seed stock. Last season all 10 seeds failed to germinate. This season I am attempting to germinate inside until emerging in controlled environment. I soaked 24 hours and then placed seeds on damp paper towel in ziplock bag. I am concerned about mold appearing on seed. I cleaned off mold and sprayed with diluted hydrogen peroxide. Seeking advice. Thanks in advance
28 May 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Seeds are probably useless after 10 years. For beans germinate rate decreases after 3 years.
17 May 24, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Central Coast NSW. Broad Beans. I have had a pretty good strike rate with my Broad Beans, as they grew they were toppling over. I used Bamboo Stakes to hold them up. They are now about 3 ft tall at the end of my stakes and still growing vigourisly. I really dont want to use Tomato Stakes, What shall I do. Thanks in Advance
21 May 24, (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like you have a choice - use tomato stakes or just let them fall over.
25 May 24, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, I think you are right anyhow, I have plenty of Tomato Stakes, will just get em out and go for it. Thanks for the Reply. Cheers. Pete.
13 Mar 24, Nicolas Panayotou (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
were can I get seeds in South Africa in the North West province
21 Nov 23, Anthony (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
.I Grow mine in September. I Grow my seeds in toilet rolls with seedling mix. 10 day or less to germinate.. plant out before bees arrive about in September ,October.(will help pollinate the flowers ) Harvest Nov. Yummy I have heard you can grow them all summer in a shaded place . Doing it this year Waste of time growing them through winter, without the bees Growing season is Auckland
01 Jun 24, Richard Washer (New Zealand - temperate climate)
sewing in late autumn/early winter means that plants will be well developed in early spring ready to flower. results in a much earlier crop than if you sew in spring...best to sew some to grow over winter and some in early spring to get extended cropping - Richard Washer
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Amanda,It doesnt matter which way up they will sort it out for themselves

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