Broad Beans in Old Town

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 Old Town · last frost ≈ 16 Feb

Sow December to February, plant out March, harvest all year. Frost risk December to February.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
SowYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYes
Plant outNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Broad Bean

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    8 Dec to 2 Feb every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds around 8th December - 2nd February 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

    19 Jan to 26 Jan

    Put in canes, twine, or netting early, from 19th January, 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

    2 Mar to 16 Mar

    Move seedlings to their final positions around 2nd March - 16th March after hardening them off. Space them apart in rows apart, then water in thoroughly straight away.

  4. 04

    Water Well

    13 Apr to 10 Mar every 2 weeks

    From 13th April, 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

    28 Apr to 10 Mar every 3 days

    Pick pods from 28th April 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.