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How to Grow Broad Beans

Vicia faba

Hardy Cool Season Continuous Harvest

When to Start

Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks earlier for a head start.

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Growth Stages

Sow seeds
Germination ~14d
Flowering ~85d
Fruiting ~115d
Harvest ~145d

Approximate days from start

Care Essentials

  • Rarely needed — beans fix their own nitrogen. Mulch with compost.
  • Autumn sowing (November) gives earlier crops. Pinching out tips is the best blackfly control.

Companion Planting

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Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature: 5°C+
Germination temperature: 8–15°C

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Spacing & Planting

Plant spacing 20 cm
Row spacing 60 cm
Sow depth 5 cm
Mature height 120 cm
Mature spread 30 cm

Often planted in double rows, with the 60 cm spacing between each pair of rows.

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Care Guide

Feeding
Rarely needed — beans fix their own nitrogen. Mulch with compost.
Watch for
  • Blackfly (major pest)
  • Chocolate spot
  • Bean weevil
  • Rust

Pests & Diseases

Pest Black Bean Aphid

Identification: Colonies of black insects on shoot tips and flowers

Organic treatment:
  • Pinch out growing tips after 4-5 flower trusses
  • Spray with water
  • Encourage ladybirds
Chemical treatment:
  • Fatty acid sprays

Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature5°C
Germination temperature8–15°C
Base growth temperature4°C
Min. daylength to start8.5h
Photoperiod sensitivityday neutral

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Broad Beans?
Plant Broad Beans 20cm apart with 60cm between rows.
When can I harvest Broad Beans?
Broad Beans is ready to harvest approximately 75 days after transplanting.
Is Broad Beans frost hardy?
Broad Beans is classified as Hardy.

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