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              
    T T T T            
    P P P P            

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

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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
22 Jun 08, lily flax (Australia - temperate climate)
Broad Beans are so easy to grow, remember when you have finished to cut them down and dig them back into the soil as a green manure, or alternativly, cut them down and cover with a layer of compost and then pea straw then plant your next crop, got an amazing crop of tomotoes this way
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30 Nov 08, Janet (Australia - temperate climate)
My broad beans were doing wonderfully then suddenly started turning black, withered and died. What happened? How can I stop it happening again?
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01 Mar 09, Beans lover (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
How far down do you need to drill a hole to plant the broad beans. Please, anyone help me. Thank you
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02 Mar 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Beans Lover: Broad Beans go in 1-2 inch (big knuckle on index finger is a good guide)
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11 Apr 09, Amanda (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Which way up should I plant the seed, with the smooth end up or the seam up?
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17 Apr 09, graham (Australia - temperate climate)
Amanda,It doesnt matter which way up they will sort it out for themselves
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21 Apr 09, peter koffel (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted broad beans, were doing well for a week, then shrivelled and died. Has it been too hot here in Perth WA this April or is the soil I prepared too rich.
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09 May 09, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Please advise do broad beans need support and if so how is this done?
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16 May 09, Robert (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have grown broadbeans for three years and have not used any support. I think its best to ensure the bushes support each other. I have heard that high winds can damage them but have not had this happen in Berrima
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20 May 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Peter: I set up a stake at each end of the row(s). then wind string around the stakes enclosing the growing beans. Add another wind around as the plants get about 6 inches above the last string. seems to work. An alternative is to set up wind breaks.
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Showing 1 - 10 of 261 comments
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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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