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
28 Aug 12, Jeff (Australia - temperate climate)
Mine have plenty of flowers too - I am in Melb. Don't worry, when the weather warms up further, the pods will form. This is my 3rd or 4th year growing broad beans and they haven't disappointed.
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Sep 12, Eileen (Australia - temperate climate)
I grew broad beans the year I lived in Tassie. I probably planted them too early (ignorant in a new climate), but the winter frosts didnt bother them at all. Tassie has the old English bumble bee. Pete Cundall reckoned it kept working down to 2 degrees. I had plenty of pods come spring, but maybe it depends on the weather being right for the bees to pollinate? Anyway, we are eating our first beans of the year - on the NSW south coast. Yep, I probably planted too early here too. Gotta love broad beans
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Aug 12, Sonia daou (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am looking to plant now is it too late ? Do i plant put the broad beans seed dry or do i souk them in water for some time ?
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Aug 12, Marcus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It's not too late to plant, actually now is the perfect time. I've never soaked them and mine always work. just make sure there is plenty of moisture in the soil.
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jul 12, Brian Vendt (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My broad beans are about a metre high,but still no sign of flowers!!Also,I have had a battle with Aphids in all the top shoots,and have been spraying them.If I pulled them all out,could I put climbers,and dwarf beans,in the same patch?I have above ground veggie garden,and live on the Nerang River,at the Gold Coast.Thankyou.Brian vendt
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jul 12, GLENYS (Australia - temperate climate)
I understand you can dig the plants into the soil to improve the soil. At what stage and when is the correct time to do this? Should I leave beans on the plants or remove them all?
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Jul 12, Di (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Broad beans are fabulous for digging in. Lots of good stuff for your next crop of Nitrogen lovers. The question of de-beaning or not is up to you. Have you got enough beans for yourself? If so, dig away. The extra beans in the soil won't hurt a bit.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jun 12, graeme (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi,my broad beans are starting get leave curl and some are going brown on the tips the plants are only small at this stage
Reply or Post a new comment
27 May 12, stuart white (Australia - temperate climate)
when can i plant broad beans in hobart tasmania please
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Jun 12, Tassy Michele (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hiya Stuart -- I'm in Launceston and have planted my Broad Beans about a month ago. They have just come through. If you want to plant seeds now I suggest you give them some protection from frost and plant ina place to take best advantage of what sun you get. Planting later?? Refer Gardenate planting guide. PS Tassy is a cool/mountain climate. Hope you grow heaps. Cheers Michele
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 151 - 160 of 268 comments
See comments for all plants

I am having this problem (flowers not pods), this year. I did plant in a different location and I think my issue is not enough sunlight for the beans to set pods; additionally I planted tightly as this is a new garden bed and I was using the favas to condition the soil as much as I was using them for bean production. My research and minimal experience with favas tells me that any of the following might cause the plants not to set pods: 1. Less than a half dozen hours of direct sunlight per day (also planting too tightly causes less sunlight per plant) 2. Not enough water; when the plants flower they need lots of water to set pods 3. Temperatures; too hot or too cold and no beans Despite the criteria, I have found fava beans very easy to grow; growing in soil where nothing else can manage and still getting a decent amount of pods per plant. Water is not an issue in my location, and temps are pretty much ideal for favas (almost all year round). Sunlight is the biggest issue for me as I live in a area with lots of large trees and winters here are mild but overcast. Early spring tends to be fairly overcast as well, and despite still getting 12 hours of daytime in September (fall for this area) the sunlight is not intense enough to get the beans to set pods. That is to say; if I plant at the correct time (based on daylight hours and what months I expect to have good sun intensity) the plants grow, flower and set pods rather quickly. If I plant in the offseason, the plants grow, flower and then I have a long wait until the sunlight is good enough to get my beans to set pods. It's the beginning of May(spring here), and I have favas with flowers that I planted back in or around August (late summer).... no "real" sign of pods yet (I did get a few over the course of the winter and early spring). I'm hoping to get pods in June or so. Again, I planted in part shade and I planted too tight, so much of the "not setting pods" issue was self created.

- 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.