Growing Autumn Sowing Broad Beans

Broad Bean Harvest in June

There’s a Broad Bean for everyone, small plots can choose dwarf varieties like The Sutton that don’t need staking and larger plots can pick tall varieties like Super Aquadulce. Seedlings take 6 to 8 weeks to appear above soil when sowing directly into raised beds. The will need to be protected by cloches until April or until they flower.

Sow: October to Early December
Harvest: June to July

Broad Beans can also be sown in Spring (February to May).

If you want to grow Broad Beans Overwinter and in Spring, click here for more information on extending the cropping season.

Where do I Sow?
Garden borders, plots, raised beds or allotments.

Varieties to Choose from:

Tracey at iGrowVeg has grown the following varieties:

2007 – The Sutton – Dwarf variety good for smaller areas as plants are short and compact.
2008 – Super Aquadulce – Hardy organic variety with tall plants and pods with 7-8 beans.
2009 – Aquadulce Claudia – Early maturing with long pods and good crop.
2010 – Crimson Flowered – Spring sowing with beautiful crimson flowers and large pods.
2011 – Supersimonia – a overwinter hardy variety, heavy cropper and vigorous in nature.

How to Sow Autumn/Overwintering Broad Bean Seeds

Broad bean Harvest

You will need:

A Raised bed, border, plot or allotment bed,
Broad Beans Seeds,
A trowel and a garden cane,
Watering Can,
Plant Labels.

Instructions:

Refer to your own seed packet or take these instructions as a guide only.
Prepare the bed by breaking up any soil clumps, add compost if necessary and raking level,
Using a trowel or a cane mark lines or rows in the soil where the beans will be planted,
Dig a small trench down the row 2 inches deep,
Water the rows and let the water soak into the soil,
Open the seed packet and choose seeds with no imperfections,
Push the seeds into the trenches in the rows,
Cover the seeds with soil,
Mark the ends of the rows with plant labels
Water well and cover with a cloche or enviromesh.

How to Sow Autumn Broad Beans in 10 Steps

Growing Tips

If growing the taller varieties remember to stake the plants before they become to tall and unmanageable. Use string to attach to the stakes or canes to keep the plants upright in rows.