When to plant Broad Beans in the UK

Sow a batch every 21 days through late March to early May, either direct or in deep modules. Sow 5 cm deep, keep the soil just moist, and protect seeds and seedlings from mice and pigeons.

Put stakes and string in from early April, before each batch grows tall. Run string around the outside of the row at several heights so the stems cannot fall outwards.

If the beans were started in modules, harden each batch off and plant it out around mid-April to mid-June. Skip this step for direct-sown rows. Space plants 20–23 cm apart, with 60 cm between double rows, then water them in.

Water in dry spells through late May to late August, especially when flowers open and pods start to swell. Soak the soil well rather than watering little and often.

• 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.

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.