How to grow Broad Bean

Vicia faba

Full Sun
Very Low

Rarely need staking.

Growing Broad bean from seed

Autumn sown (late October or November) with variety Aquadulce or Aquadulce Claudia best sown direct for cropping mid- to late-May. Spring-sown best pre-germinated soaked in a small lidded plastic container and planted when 2-3 cm shoot has emerged. Sow in 19cm apart in double rows 25cm apart – bees prefer to pollinate outside rather than inside plants, in double row all are outside.

Sow at a depth of approx. 1.95 inches (5.0 cm) and aim for a distance of at least 7.41 inches (19.0 cm) between Broad bean plants.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Broad bean about 1 days after your last frost date .

Transplanting Broad bean

Plant 5 cm deep.

As Broad bean is hardy, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

Seed Saving Broad bean

Leave plants to dry best on the plant and harvest seeds when pods are black and wrinkled. Note that there is a weevil which drills beautifully round small holes in the saved seed, so monitor carefully.

How long does Broad bean take to grow?

These estimates for how long Broad bean takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Broad bean to germinate?: 15 days
Average 15 days | Min 2 days | Max 41 days (171)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Broad bean?: + 19 days
Average 19 days | Min 13 days | Max 48 days (13)
Days to Maturity How long until Broad bean is ready for harvest / bloom?: + 43 days
Average 43 days | Min 11 days | Max 314 days (13)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Broad bean?: = 77 days

When should I plant Broad bean?

Our when to plant Broad bean estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Broad bean before or after your last frost date.: 1 days after Last Frost Date

Broad bean Folklore & Trivia

Broad Beans have a long tradition of cultivation in Old World agriculture, being among the most ancient plants in cultivation and also among the easiest to grow. It is believed that along with lentils, peas, and chickpeas, they became part of the eastern Mediterranean diet in around 6000 BC or earlier. ¹

Other names for Broad bean

Fava Bean, Faba Bean, Horse Bean, Field Bean, Tic Bean, Mexican Bean, Broadbean, Broad bean karmazyn

Vicia faba L.

Footnotes

¹ Wikipedia – Vicia faba