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

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01 May 08, Chris (Unknown climate)
Ants on the broadbeans are probably there because of blackfly/greenfly. The ants will be protecting the blackfly and feeding on the honeydew they secrete. Once the beans are past knee height you can pinch off the growing tips (the top two-to-three inches) of the bean plants (you can steam and eat these tips as a vegetable). Alternatively you can try washing off any insects with soapy water.
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01 May 08, (Unknown climate)
Hi, this is the first time we are growing broad beans and our garden is going great guns, We planted 20 seeds and have 20 very healthy and happy b road bean plants about 40cm high. HOWEVER, the broad beans are full of ants!! What should I be doing to get rid of them, or are they there for a purpose? Can someone help me please cause I dont want to see my plants.
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10 Jun 10, bella (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
I have sprayed mine with washing up liquid and water, hopefully that will help
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10 Feb 08, Mary Forbes (Unknown climate)
Plant just one row and when they are about 10 cm high, plant a second row. Repeat as required. This ensures that you have tender broad beans for a longer period and are not over-loaded with a huge crop.
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Showing 341 - 344 of 344 comments
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I've planted my purchased broad beans seeds just before September, almost at the start of our Spring season here in Berwick, Victoria. Australia. I prepared the soil three weeks earlier, just tilled it to kill the grass and then formed several lines of raised beds - as always - for drainage. I planted the seeds not on top of the raised mounts but slightly offside and in a zig-zag pattern between seeds. Now they are around 70cm high and in flower. Broad beans can tolerate a variety of soil condition and full sun. They also love having companions plants. I planted potatoes, radishes, silver beets and beetroots spaced between them and accordingly the tallest goes at the back and the shortest at the front, so that each gets sunlight even in late afternoon. (Edited)

- Michael

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