When to plant Broad Beans in Cambridge

Vicia faba

Broad Bean
Broad Bean · Vicia faba

A hardy crop for UK gardens. Sow named hardy types in autumn for an earlier crop next spring, or sow from late winter into spring for a main harvest. Pick pods young and often.

100 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Cambridge · last frost ≈ 7 May

Sow outdoors March to May, plant out April to June, harvest July to September. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Sow direct or in modules for a main crop. Support tall plants and pick the pods while tender.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    26 Mar to 7 May Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow a batch every 21 days through 26th March - 7th May, either direct or in deep modules. Sow deep. Keep the soil just moist. Protect seeds and seedlings from mice and pigeons.

  2. 02

    Set Up Support

    9 Apr to 28 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, put stakes and string in from 9th April, before the plants grow tall. Run string around the row at several heights.

  3. 03

    Plant Out Seedlings

    23 Apr to 18 Jun

    If the beans were started in modules, harden each batch off and plant it out around 23rd April - 18th June. Skip this for direct-sown rows. Space apart, with between double rows. Water in.

  4. 04

    Water Well

    4 Jun to 24 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, water in dry spells through 4th June - 24th September, especially when flowers open and pods start to swell. Soak the soil well.

    • Once the lowest flowers have formed small pods, pinch out the soft growing tip of each plant. This can reduce blackfly on the new growth.

  5. 05

    Harvest Pods

    9 Jul to 24 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 days

    After each sowing, pick pods through 9th July - 24th September while they are well filled but still tender. Harvest every few days. The beans are past their best once the scar on each seed turns dark.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Broad Bean to consider

Aquadulce Claudia

A hardy, reliable variety for autumn or spring sowing, with long pods and good winter resilience.

The Sutton

A compact dwarf variety that suits smaller plots and containers, with neat plants and a useful early crop.

Imperial Green Longpod

A popular tall variety with long pods and good yields, best with proper support.

Broad Bean guides by town

See how Broad Bean timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.