Broad Beans

More about Broad Beans

Vicia faba
syn. Fava Bean, Faba Bean
Broad beans are annual cool season vegetables used either for the young, tender pods or a mature beans, fresh or dried. Also useful as a winter green manure. Sow late summer, autumn or winter depending on area, it germinates best at 15 - 25°C soil temperature. It is most suitable for cool and warm temperate areas; it may fail to flower and bear well in the subtropics.
Soil Type: Fertile, well drained, garden loam with a pH of pH 6.5 - 7.5; lime if necessary.
Germination period: 8 - 14 days
Planting depth: 4 - 6 cm deep
Position: Full sun in a sheltered position.
Sow Where: Direct into garden bed
Row Spacing: 60 - 75 cm apart
Plant Spacing: 15 - 20 cm apart
Details: Water well once after sowing and then do not water again until seedlings appear.
Harvest: Pinch out the (edible) growing tip once a good crop of pods has set. Harvest the lowest pods first.