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

Your comments and tips

28 Aug 21, Janet (Australia - temperate climate)
I was interested in this also. It might be a typo but they said "start setting" not "settle". I believe they mean when the pods begin to form ie to set pods. As for the blackfly, Wikipedia was no help. Sometime tiny black bugs appear on the soft new foliage at the top of my plants. I assumed they were aphids.
02 Dec 21, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
Most likely the bugs are aphids. Ants actually enslave or farm the aphids. The aphids are placed on the juiciest part of the fava bean plant by the ants; and the aphids suck the sap. The aphids then excrete honeydew which is what the ants are after. I generally just hose off (water spray) the aphids - I have also found an organically acceptable spray/pesticide to target the aphids; I try to limit the use of the spray opting for water. You should take action as soon as you see aphids.
21 Apr 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
At the top of the broad bean plants there is a growing point - a cluster of new leaves -. When your plants have reached about a metre high (or less for small varieties) , pick out that bunch of leaves. It helps to prevent black fly infestations and encourages the plant to produce more beans from side shoots.
16 Apr 20, Suem (Australia - temperate climate)
What does it mean when it says "Pick the tops out once beans start setting (to prevent blackfly) ."
05 Apr 20, Robert Pye (Australia - temperate climate)
I was told to plant the seed so they mature for harvest in September, is that correct?
06 Apr 20, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Plant March to June - 12-22 weeks to maturing,
10 Feb 20, Anne Brooker (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy the the green fava bean seeds
11 Feb 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Eden SEEDS.
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..?
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.
Showing 51 - 60 of 341 comments

I took a look at my Broad Beans today. They have an infestation of very small insects. could they be Aphids? Thanks in advance> Cheers Pete

- Pete

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