Broad Beans

Broad beans are fantastic to grow—they’re packed with protein and fiber, taste delicious in soups, salads, and dips, and naturally enrich the soil with nitrogen. Even after harvesting, their roots keep adding nitrogen, improving soil health for future crops. They’re easy to grow, attract pollinators, and bring great benefits to the garden!

1. Timing

  • Best Season: Broad beans are typically planted in autumn or early winter in Australia (March to June). This timing allows the beans to grow through the cool season, as they prefer mild to cool temperatures.

2. Planting Site

  • Sunlight: Choose a spot with full sun or partial shade. Broad beans grow best with about 6 hours of sunlight per day.

  • Soil: Use well-draining, rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Adding compost or well-rotted manure improves fertility and structure.

  • Wind Protection: Broad beans can grow tall (up to 1.5 meters), so a sheltered spot will protect them from strong winds.

3. Planting from Seeds

  • Preparation: Soak seeds overnight to encourage germination.

  • Sowing Depth: Plant seeds about 5 cm deep.

  • Spacing: Sow seeds 15-20 cm apart in rows about 50 cm apart. Alternatively, plant in clumps of 2–3 seeds per hole.

  • Germination Time: Seeds typically germinate in 10–14 days under ideal conditions.

4. Planting from Seedlings

  • Timing: Transplant seedlings when they are around 10–15 cm tall.

  • Spacing: Place seedlings 15–20 cm apart in rows or clumps. Firm the soil gently around each plant.

  • Watering: Water seedlings immediately after transplanting, then maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging.

5. Care & Maintenance

  • Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and pod development. Avoid overwatering, as broad beans are susceptible to root rot.

  • Support: Use stakes or trellises for taller varieties to prevent the plants from toppling over.

  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer during planting and again when flowering begins, but avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, which can encourage leafy growth over pod production.

  • Mulching: Mulch around plants to help retain moisture and control weeds.

6. Pest & Disease Management

  • Aphids: Watch for black bean aphids, especially on new growth. Control with insecticidal soap or by encouraging ladybugs.

  • Fungal Diseases: Avoid watering the leaves to reduce the risk of powdery mildew. Good air circulation also helps prevent fungal diseases.

7. Harvesting

  • Timing: Broad beans are usually ready for harvest about 12–16 weeks after planting.

  • Pods: Pick when pods are full but not overly mature for the best flavor. Older beans tend to be starchier and tougher.

  • Continuous Harvest: Regular picking encourages further production.

If you have any questions or needing some additional guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can send me an email: aplotincommon@outlook.com or message me on Instagram. I would love to see some photos of your broad beans!!

Tash x