Broad beans
Vicia faba · Easy
A hardy bean that provides an early harvest and can free a bed in time for summer crops.
Sow
October–November for hardy varieties in mild sites, or February–April.
Plant
Direct sow or transplant individually raised plants.
Harvest
May to August, depending on sowing time.
Practical growing notes
Give broad beans the right space.
- Plant spacing
- 15–23 cm apart, usually in double rows.
- Light
- Full sun in a sheltered position.
- Containers
- Dwarf varieties can grow in large containers.
Why grow it?
One of the earliest productive legumes and a useful succession starting point.
Watch for
Autumn sowing is risky on wet, exposed or very cold sites.
Keep the bed moving
What can follow broad beans?
One of the hardiest leafy crops, with regular picking possible through winter and into spring.
beet familyChardA robust cut-and-come-again leaf crop that can bridge summer, autumn and the following spring.
lettuce familyLettuceA succession-friendly salad crop, especially useful as loose-leaf or cut-and-come-again types.
beet familySpinachA quick cool-season leaf crop for spring and autumn, with repeat pickings from small sowings.