How to Grow Broad Beans

Broad beans are part of the legumes group of plants that includes runner beans, French beans and peas. They are one of the earliest vegetables to crop on the allotment and the first of the beans. Try autumn or winter sowings for earliest harvests.

Broad beans like a rich, well drained soil so the addition of well rotted manure or a mulch of garden compost is beneficial.

Sow broad beans

For earliest crops broad beans such as Aquadulce Claudia can be sown from November until March for harvesting in May and June. Broad beans are hardy plants and will withstand the cold well but they do not like water-logged soil so you are less likely to be successful with autumn and winter sowings if you have heavy clay soil. In these conditions it is best to start them in an unheated greenhouse.

Using small pots sow beans individually about 3cm deep. Sow the beans on their edges, if laid flat they are more likely to collect water and may rot. Water well and keep moist but avoid over-watering. Sow suitable varieties in succession until the end of April for a continuous supply of broad beans from May until August.

Later sowings can be made direct into the allotment or vegetable garden but continue to use the greenhouse for convenience.

Traditionally broad beans are sown in double rows with spacing of 15cm between plants, 25cm between rows and 60cm between each double row. This leaves enough room to walk between the double rows to harvest. Single rows equally spaced at 25cms apart can also be used.

Plant out and grow broad beans

Plant out broad beans from March onward using the spacings described above. For taller varieties, particularly in areas exposed to wind, support will be needed. A few canes and some string around the rows is adequate. Dwarf varieties such as The Sutton are particularly useful in windy areas.

Keep the plants well watered in dry spells.

Harvest broad beans

Broad beans should be harvested when the you can feel that the beans are filling the pod. If allowed to grow too big the outer skin of the bean can be removed either before or after cooking. This is known as double-podding.

Store broad beans

Broad beans freeze well. For convenience freeze in portion sized bags. Remember to date and use sequentially, like most frozen foods they don’t keep their flavour forever.

Broad bean problems

Black Fly is a common problem. These aphids suck sap from the plants, stunting their growth and reducing the harvest. Pinching out the tops of the plants can help as the aphids are attracted to the most tender leaves. New and light infestations can be controlled by rubbing the aphids off the leaves. Spraying with a slightly soapy water can also help, this will need to be repeated as necessary.

Fungal diseases can also be a problem. This can be reduced with good plant spacing, watering the base of the plants rather than the leaves and keeping weeds under control to allow good air circulation.