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     P P      

(Best months for growing Broad Beans in New Zealand - cool/mountain 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

12 Oct 15, Prometheus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Barry, I have had exactly the same problem this year (I am from Central Highlands of Victoria). It's hard to find any information about leaf curl on broad beans via the internet. I have noticed however that it's tended to affect my plants which were overseeded in smaller 25cm containers (most of my plants in larger containers don't have the curl). I suspect that the recent Spring heatwave (we had temps in the mid 30s) has something to do with it - broad beans do not tolerate temperatures above 23 degrees and will start to wilt and die off in the 30s. My diagnosis is probably the combination of unseasonal hot, dry weather and overcrowding is killing them off. This may be the same cause for you if you live in an area that experienced the heatwave. I think you can either leave them and see if they recover on their own, or (which is the course of action I will follow), cutting down the most badly affected plants and leaving some of the others to hopefully regenerate. All the best, P.
11 Aug 15, Pieter Schoeman (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm doing my back yard gardening and want the seed of the Desiree Runner Beans. We had it in our garden when I was little and would like to know where I can get the seeds. Am from Sasolburg in the Freestate
13 Apr 15, sarit (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi can i grow broad beans in container ?
07 Mar 15, Sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it too late to plant dwarf beans? The packet says 'plant in March" ?
31 Oct 14, Jim O'Brien (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted broad bean seeds 30/4 and just about to begin harvest on 31/10/14. That's 180 days. Is there anything I should do to speed up the fruiting process. Thanks
12 Aug 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
you sound like an industry grower. Old saying plant peas or broad beans on Anzac day. I let them do their thing for a while,then a bit of hi Potassium will speed up flowering. But you planted correctly,no worries. Be patient,31 Oct you have a good crop,all other events can adjust.But so far do nothing it's perfect. Gaz
18 Sep 14, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
Fully in flower but plants have leaf curl.
05 Sep 14, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I purchase broad beans in South Africa?
03 Oct 14, Geoff (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I purchased seed online from organicseeds.co.za. I will plant them here (KZN) in April. They have a large range of seeds, but some that I got from them did not germinate at all. Others were excellent.
25 Aug 14, (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I would like to enquire on Broad beans,How and where do I get them here in Namibia..I have searched in fruit and veg city..did not get any...Need help how I can get them and the price...thanx in advance
Showing 101 - 110 of 342 comments

broad beans will not set when temperatures are too low. In Spring when the weather warms up then they will set.

- daneil

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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. GardenGrow 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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