Broad Bean
Vicia faba
Broad beans are hardy legumes that fix atmospheric nitrogen and tolerate frost. Autumn-sown plants overwinter and crop earliest; spring sowings are quicker to establish. Both types produce long pods with large, meaty seeds eaten fresh, dried, or frozen.
Terminology
Key facts
- Family
- Fabaceae (Legumes)
- Category
- Legume
- Height
- 60-120 cm depending on variety
- Soil type
- Fertile, well-drained soil; tolerates heavier soils better than most legumes
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Sowing window
- Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Sowing depth
- 50 mm
- Spacing
- 20-25 cm between plants, 45 cm between rows
- Watering
- medium
- Frost sensitivity
- low
- Days to maturity
- Autumn-sown: 7-8 months; spring-sown: 4-5 months
- Harvest window
- May - Jul
- Storage
- Fresh: refrigerator; surplus: blanch and freeze
- Storage duration
- Fresh: 3-5 days; frozen: up to 12 months
Soil
Preparation
- -Incorporate compost before sowing
- -Avoid waterlogged sites - increases root rot risk
- -Rotate - do not plant fabaceae in the same ground more than once every 3-4 years
Sowing notes
- -Autumn sowing (October-November) overwinters and produces earliest crop
- -Spring sowing (February-April) works well in most conditions
- -Sow direct in double rows for mutual support, or in blocks
- -Mice may take seeds - protect with fleece or sow in modules
Propagation
- -Direct sow at 5 cm depth in double rows
- -Can be started in modules and transplanted - useful for protecting from mice
- -Pinch out growing tips when first flowers appear to deter blackfly and encourage pod set
Harvest notes
- -Pick when pods are plump and seeds well-formed but before the pod skin toughens
- -Check the scar on the seed - black scar means past peak
- -Young pods can be eaten whole when very small
- -Pick regularly to extend the cropping period
Varieties
Issues & threats
Wilting
EnvironmentalPlants are drooping or losing vigour. Most commonly caused by water stress but can also indicate root damage, vascular disease, or heat scorch. Identifying the cause quickly is important as some causes are serious.
Poor germination
EnvironmentalSeeds are emerging unevenly or not at all. Usually caused by soil temperature being too low, seeds sown too deep, poor seed-to-soil contact, or old seed stock.
Damping off
Fungal diseasePythium spp. / Phytophthora spp.
Young seedlings collapse at or just below soil level, caused by fungal pathogens that thrive in overwatered, poorly ventilated growing conditions. Can spread rapidly through a seed tray.
Yellowing leaves
EnvironmentalLeaves are turning yellow, which can indicate a range of problems including nutrient deficiency, overwatering, disease, or natural senescence. Identifying whether the pattern is upper or lower leaves, whole leaves or between veins, is key to diagnosis.
Stunted growth
EnvironmentalPlants are significantly smaller or slower to develop than expected. May be caused by poor soil, nutrient deficiency, root restriction, compaction, pest damage to roots, or disease.
Chewing damage
PestGeneral chewing damage from an unidentified pest, leaving holes or missing leaf sections. May be caused by caterpillars, beetles, or other insects. Inspect at dusk to identify the culprit.
Sap-sucking pests
PestGeneral sap-feeding pest activity causing weakened or distorted growth. May be caused by aphids, whitefly, scale insects, or other sucking insects. Inspect leaf undersides and growing tips to identify the pest.