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 6°C and 24°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 25 cm 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 New Zealand | for all countries
21 Mar 21, Tony (Australia - temperate climate)
I use good old chicken manure (Rooster Booster or similar) and dolomite lime. Dig both in well a few weeks before planting. Don't forget to plant your broad beans in a different spot than the year before
Reply or Post a new comment
31 Jan 21, Aaron (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Apparently, falafel was originally made from dried Broad Beans. I've tried them in a "meatless" patty in burgers. First boiling the beans till they start to soften then putting them in a blender. They don't have the gritty texture chickpeas can have. Even a confirmed carnivore like me was happy eating them.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Aug 21, Richard Stancliffe (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Nice - will have try that.
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Oct 20, Matt Molloy (New Zealand - temperate climate)
what should ph of soil be?
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Oct 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Best to plant them in the autumn. They need cool/cold weather.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Oct 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
a ph of 6.5 seems to suit most vegetables
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Jun 20, Pastor Dennis Naidoo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Good Day I have planted Tom Thumb peas in May and its now sprouting. What nutrients should i feed the pea plants. Regards Dennis
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Jun 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You should prepare your ground/soil a few weeks/months before you plant things. Mix in compost or add some mulch and wet it and turn it over a few times to break it down over a few months before planting. Add some composted manures etc. Also some blood and bone. If you do that then you don't need much fertiliser. If your soil is rich now it don't need anything. If you have poor soil just use a general gardening fert 10-13N 2-4P 3-6K. Or buy an organic fert - they are about 4N 2P 3-4K.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 May 20, Ganas Naidoo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Please tell me, is broad beans and canned butter beans the same
Reply or Post a new comment
04 May 20, liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
No, they are different varieties of beans
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 41 - 50 of 344 comments
See comments for all plants

This year I've had a fairly good crop of broad beans (Fava beans) in my small back yard. I left them to grow wild with grass and weeds growing around because it is impossible to eradicate them, especially if the beans are often watered during dry spells, and weedicide is not an option. Each stem had at least from 6 to eight pods of about 6 inches long or smaller. Maybe it is a smaller type of broad beans but quite delicious. I have had no problems with pests, mainly the white butterflies who roster on the plants in the evenings, but I did notice extensive brown powdery colour on their leaves. Not intending to spray the plants, I hosed most of it off the leaves but the damage had already been done to the leaves, however, the plants seemed to cope will with what looks like brown fungal residue. I planted my broad beans early October and they have grown well. I planted another patch near if and now are 5 inches (15cm) high. Looks like I will get another crop on late February provided they get water and or rain. There has been no snail damage whatsoever, as I keep these pests in check with snail pellets around the perimeter of the crop. I have also noticed a number of Ladybugs on the broad beans leaves. I let them stay as these beautiful insects monitor the plants for suspected pest activities such as Aphids, etc.

- Michael

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 GardenGrow 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 GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | 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. 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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.