When to plant Broad Beans in the UK

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

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

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

    late March to early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow a batch every 21 days through late March to early 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

    early April to late May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

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

  3. 03

    Plant Out Seedlings

    mid-April to mid-June UK average · set your town for your exact dates

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

  4. 04

    Water Well

    late May to mid-September UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, water in dry spells through late May to mid-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

    early July to mid-September UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 days

    After each sowing, pick pods through early July to mid-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.