Overview
- Name: Broad Beans
- Botanical Name: Vicia faba
- Plant Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family)
- Native to: Mediterranean region, including parts of Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia.
Description
Broad beans (Vicia faba), also known as fava bean, are annual legumes that grow as an upright, bushy plant reaching 0.6-1.5 meters (2-5 ft) in height. Plants often have multiple stems growing from the base. The stems are square in cross-section and slightly hairy. Leaves are compound and consist of 2-6 oval leaflets with a grayish-green hue. The plants produce clusters of white flowers marked with black or purple spots. After flowering, the plants develop long, thick, and leathery seed pods that contain 3-8 large, flattened seeds ranging from pale green to dark brown in colour.
Interesting Facts
- Broad beans have been cultivated for over 5,000 years and were a staple in ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
- They are one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world, and one of the easiest to grow.
- Broad beans are nitrogen-fixing plants that enhance soil fertility by working with symbiotic bacteria in their roots to transform atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants. They can be densely planted as a green manure crop, and once they bloom (flower), they are cut and incorporated (dug) into the soil. This process returns the nitrogen from their roots and foliage back into the earth, enriching the soil with nutrients.
- They are often used as a cover crop to enrich soil between other plantings in crop rotation systems.
- Broad beans can withstand cold temperatures, making them suitable autumn and winter planting in many regions. In extremely cold regions they can be planted early spring.
Basic Growing Information
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Water Requirements: Medium
- Soil Types and Properties: Fertile, well-draining soil, rich in organic matter
- Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Planting
Broad beans are a cool-season crop, meaning that they can withstand cold temperatures. Plant when soil temperatures are between 7-18°C (45-65°F).
They grow best at soil temperatures between 15.5-18.3°C (60–65°F), and will not grow well at temperatures below 4.4°C (40°F) or above 23.8°C (75°F). High summer temperatures lead to decreased productivity. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 10-21°C (50-70°F).
In regions with moderate winters, broad bean seeds can be planted (sown) directly into the soil during the autumn season. In areas with harsh winters and freezing conditions, they can be sown in early spring as soon as the soil is workable and temperatures rise above 4.4°C (40°F). A second planting may be done in late summer to avoid the high temperatures. However, they must be sown early enough to mature before the onset of cold weather that can cause them to perish.
- Best Time to Plant
- Climates with freezing winters: Early spring
- Climates with milder winters: Late autumn
Note: Check gardening calendars for the best planting times in your location.
- Spacing: 15-20 cm (6-8 in) between plants and 60-90 cm (24-36 in) between rows
- Seed Sowing Method: Sow seeds directly into ground
- Seed Sowing Depth: 2.5cm–5.0cm (1–2 in) deep
- Time to Harvest: 12-22 weeks when planted from seed
- Mature Height/Spread: Up to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall, 60 cm (2 ft) spread
- Grown From: Seeds
- Pot Size for Container Growing: 50cm pot or larger
Care and Maintenance
- Watering Tips: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base of plants to prevent fungal diseases.
- Fertilisation: Side dress (do an additional application) with a balanced fertiliser every 4-6 weeks.
- Pruning: Pinch off the growing tips after the flower clusters below have opened to encourage bushier growth.
- Support: Tall varieties may benefit from staking to prevent them from toppling over.
Growing Difficulty
- Easy to Grow
Growing Tips
- Protect young plants from slugs and snails by using organic slug pellets or beer traps.
- Thin seedlings to ensure proper spacing and optimal growth.
- After broad beans have finished cropping, dig the plants into the soil as a valuable green manure to replenish soil nutrients.
Companion Plants
- Good companion plants include: Spinach, lettuce, potatoes, carrots, strawberries
- Avoid planting near: Alliums (onions, garlic), sunflowers
Common Pests and Diseases
- Pests: Aphids, black bean aphid, and broad bean weevil.
- Prevention and control methods: Use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs. Rotate crops to prevent pest buildup.
- Diseases: Chocolate spot, powdery mildew, and root rot.
- Prevention and control methods: Plant disease-resistant varieties, practice crop rotation, and ensure good air circulation around plants.
Harvesting
- Harvest Time: Broad beans are ready to harvest when pods are plump and firm, and beginning to droop from the plant due to the weight, but before they become tough and leathery.
- Harvesting Tips: Pick pods regularly to encourage continuous production. Remove the pods from the plant by applying a sharp downward twist, or use scissors or pruners to avoid damaging the plant. Seeds can be dried either by leaving pods on the plant until they begin to shrivel or by picking and hanging up to dry out.
Propagation
- Produce New Plants From: Seeds
Culinary Uses
- Broad beans are popular in soups, stews, salads, and purees. They can be dried or eaten fresh, cooked, or raw. When cooked they may be steamed, boiled, or roasted. The beans can be shelled or used whole when young.
Fresh Broad Beans:
Fresh broad beans can be enjoyed raw, particularly when young and tender. They have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. They are commonly boiled or steamed until tender and then added to various dishes. They can be served as a standalone side dish, tossed into salads, mixed into risottos, or pureed into dips.
It’s important to note that fresh broad beans have a tough outer skin that needs to be removed before eating. After cooking, the beans are typically shelled from their pods, blanched briefly in boiling water, and then the outer skins are peeled off to reveal the tender inner beans.
Dried Broad Beans:
Dried broad beans need to be soaked in water overnight before cooking to rehydrate them. Once soaked, they can be boiled until tender. This process softens the beans and makes them suitable for various dishes.
- Purees and Soups: Cooked dried broad beans can be mashed or pureed and used in soups, stews, or spreads. In some cuisines, such as Middle Eastern cuisine, mashed broad beans are used to make dishes like ful medames (Egyptian Fava Beans), a popular breakfast dish.
- Stews and Curries: Dried broad beans can also be added to stews, curries, or casseroles, where they contribute a rich, hearty texture and flavour.
In conclusion, broad beans are a rewarding crop to grow, providing nutritious and versatile produce. Their nitrogen-fixing properties also improve soil health, making them a valuable addition to any sustainable garden.
Please feel free to add any growing tips in the comments below, and also include your climate/hardiness zone if it’s helpful.