Morton Smith-Dawe

Guide to Planting Broad Beans

Broad beans are a great cool season vegetable and can be planted from April through till September.

One advantage to the home gardener is that broad beans freeze well.

Plant approximately 4cm deep, 10cm apart and the rows approximately 90cm apart.

Some of the taller varieties may grow to 2 metres and may need to be staked. However, they will not grow as tall if the tops are nipped off when plants are approximately 30cm high. This will encourage more shoots to break out from below, creating a shorter bushier plant.

Harvest before the beans get too mature. If left too long they can become chewy after cooking.