Grow broad beans

Broad beans love the winter. I have friends who can’t wait for the cool season to arrive so they can get a crop in the ground. Come harvest time, they couldn’t be happier, and what a delightful harvest broad beans make – truly seasonal and truly delicious!

I like the bold visual impact they have in the patch planted in blocks, their thick, bushy, upright stems topped with blooms and big, fat pods. And that’s the way to grow them: in a block or a double row. This way, the plants support each other and stay upright, and don’t need a trellis to climb on; just a stake in each corner of the block with twine wrapped around the outside to keep the crop contained.

Most varieties grow to at least 1m tall, but there are a few dwarf varieties under 1m. Early Long Pod reaches a height of 1.2m and bears long, prize-winning pods. Coles Early Dwarf gets to 1m and is a heavy cropper.

Crimson Flowered grows to 90cm and has attractive red flowers instead of the regular white with black markings.

If you’re anywhere south of Brisbane, May and June are good months to sow. Choose a spot in full sun with protection from wind. Good drainage is essential, so mound your soil if it’s heavy. Incorporate well-rotted compost and check the pH. If it’s below 6.5, add some lime.

To speed up germination, soak the seed in water overnight. Sow them 5cm deep, at 10–15cm intervals, in double rows 25cm apart. Allow a spacing of about 70cm between additional double rows. Water the seed in well after sowing. The seed is prone to rotting, so allow soil to dry before re-wetting. It should germinate in 10–14 days. Gradually increase the watering as plants grow.

Want to learn the basics of starting a vegie garden? Read our guide, here.

Header image credit: iStock

Want to learn more about broad beans?

Broad beans