Growing Broad Beans, also Fava bean

Vicia faba : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P     P P      

(Best months for growing Broad Beans in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 6°C and 24°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 25 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-22 weeks. Pick frequently to encourage more pods.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dill, Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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24 Aug 21, Tony (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You can plant anytime and if there is a frost, the plants will fall over but recover, albeit looking a bit unkempt.
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26 Aug 21, Richard Stancliffe (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Nice. Thanks Tony
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31 Jan 21, Aaron (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Apparently, falafel was originally made from dried Broad Beans. I've tried them in a "meatless" patty in burgers. First boiling the beans till they start to soften then putting them in a blender. They don't have the gritty texture chickpeas can have. Even a confirmed carnivore like me was happy eating them.
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22 Aug 21, Richard Stancliffe (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Nice - will have try that.
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16 Oct 20, Matt Molloy (New Zealand - temperate climate)
what should ph of soil be?
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19 Oct 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Best to plant them in the autumn. They need cool/cold weather.
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18 Oct 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
a ph of 6.5 seems to suit most vegetables
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08 May 19, Elizabeth (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I love BB and want to start a container garden, I have tough big wooden troughs. Any hints recommendations for a new gardener?
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21 May 19, Gaye (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Planted bb plants in Invercargill a few weeks ago as climate autumnal. I think they will be good early spring. Often whatever is at garden centres will be an indication on what to put in. Also put kale and few lettuce plants in and will put garlic in in June
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14 Mar 19, jake (New Zealand - temperate climate)
These are our staple reliable crop in chch. great wizzed up raw to make felafel. i sow them at all times of the year into the roughest of ground in our heavy clay they even grow ok direct sown into the lawn or a developing area. they usually do better sown in late winter and i sow alot closer together.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 29 comments
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Since moving to Tauranga I have found it better to plant broadbeans mid winter …. June as any earlier the flowers are not pollenated. Wait until mid winter so the bees will be active when the plants begin to flower. That way you don’t lose the first line of beans. Uncle in Hastings always did the same. Then they crop November into December.

- Lynn Laurent

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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