Broad Beans in Gardie

Vicia faba

Broad Bean
Broad Bean · Vicia faba

A hardy, reliable crop for UK gardens, broad beans do well in open ground and cope with cool weather better than most beans. Sow in autumn for an earlier crop or from late winter into spring for a main harvest, then pick pods young and often for the best flavour.

100 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Gardie · last frost ≈ 13 May

Sow March to April, plant out May to June, harvest July to January. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
SowNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestYesNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYes

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Broad Bean

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    4 Mar to 29 Apr every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds around 4th March - 29th April in deep modules, root trainers, or straight into the ground once the soil is workable. Keep the compost just moist and protect seedlings from mice and pigeons.

  2. 02

    Set Up Support

    15 Apr to 22 Apr

    Put in canes, twine, or netting early, from 15th April, before the plants get tall. Strong support helps prevent wind rock and makes it easier to tie in growth as it develops.

  3. 03

    Plant Out Seedlings

    27 May to 10 Jun

    Move seedlings to their final positions around 27th May - 10th June after hardening them off. Space them apart in rows apart, then water in thoroughly straight away.

  4. 04

    Water Well

    8 Jul to 13 Jan every 2 weeks

    From 8th July, water plants freely when flowering starts and again as pods swell. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially in dry spells, so flowers do not drop and pods fill properly.

  5. 05

    Harvest Pods

    23 Jul to 13 Jan every 3 days

    Pick pods from 23rd July when they are well filled but still tender. Harvest every few days to keep new pods forming, and stop once the beans inside have become thick and starchy.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Broad Bean.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

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.