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

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03 May 13, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm in Geelong and I plant them in March/April. For support, I plant in a block to assist with support; then I stake around the block and wrap the string around the perimeter of the stakes. They are very easy to grow and with minimal maintenance and fertiliser needs(seasol every 3 weeks). Pick out the flowering tips to direct the growing energy into the bean pods. My favourite variety is Aquadulce, which I find produces a hefty crop of beans.
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16 Apr 13, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
When do I must cut the top of the plant,(chip) I was told after the pods are about 7-10 cm, is that O/K thanks for your reply Peter
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30 Apr 13, Sustainable Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
It depends on how many plants you have & how many beans you need. Some people recommend pinching out the growing tips when they are about 10-15cm long to encourage more stems, but you don't have to cut the top out of broad beans - I don't and I usually get plenty of beans. If broad beans are growing in a very windy spot, pinching out the tips of taller plants would stop them getting taller and less likely to be blown over...other people like to give them support...I do neither and my broad beans do fine (even in a windy spot).
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22 Jul 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
And steam and eat the tops if you pinch them off - delicious!
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15 Apr 13, Tina (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do broad beans need any support? I've never grown them before.
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20 Apr 13, JIM (Australia - temperate climate)
only if they are in a windy position if they are planted close together they will support each other
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24 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
I plant mine in double rows i.e. 2rows 10cm apart then 30cm away from the next double row, then stake the 4 corners of the row and run a string line about 30cm off the ground so they dont fall down this keeps them tidy and allows air movement between the rows.
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13 Apr 13, Martin (Australia - temperate climate)
Are broad beans ok to grow with tomatoes.?
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25 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
I would say, yes if you look at the compatibility it shows potatoes which is in the same family as tomatoes
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17 May 13, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
You are generally growing broad beans and tomatoes in different seasons so it isn't an issue.
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Showing 161 - 170 of 344 comments
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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

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