How to Grow Broad Beans; Varieties, Soil Conditions, Harvesting and Yields

Broad beans are not generally grown on a large scale, but they have great value in an intensive rotation as both a legume as well as a winter cash crop.

These beans producing in late winter and springtime are a very popular and under-rated vegetable. Eaten whole as young pods, before the seed develops, they almost reach gourmet status. The market generally demands the more mature and longer beans. Care must be taken to harvest them before the pods become over-mature as the quality rapidly deteriorates.

Growing broad beans for a cover crop is one of the finest as they are excellent nitrogen fixers.

The broad bean falls into 3 main categories; longpod beans, shortpod beans and dwarf beans. The longpod beans have about 8 beans in each pod, the shortpod beans have 3-5 beans, and the dwarf varieties have 2-3 beans.

How to Grow Broad Beans and Varieties

For those of you who have limited space in your vegetable gardens you may think about planting the dwarf variety of broad bean as they produce clusters of pods on small bushes that don't grow very high. The Sutton is an excellent dwarf variety that grows to about 30 cms, matures early and has white seeds in the pods.

One of my favourite broad bean varieties is the Aquadulce Claudia, it is a longpod which has a sweet, nutty flavor and is an early cropper. The pods of this plant tend to grow away from the plant at an upward angle. Another favorite is the Longpod or Leviathan which has pods growing to 20 - 25 cm in length, and bushes that grow to up to 1.5 meters high. A good variety for colder climes as it is resistant to frosts and is a prolific bearer. These pods are pendulous.

However, there are other varieties which are just as popular such as other dwarf varieties such as Midget and Coles Dwarf, and Longpods and Shortpods such as the Egyptian Brown, Red Epicure and Scorpio, among others.

How to Grow Broad Beans, Climate and When to Plant

Your crop will be seriously reduced if you plant your beans out too early. They will grow well in cold weather, but the flowers will not set beans until the frosty conditions have finished in late winter. In temperate climates you can sow broad beans in autumn and winter. An autumn sowing prevents black fly attack. If you live in a colder climate, sow your beans in early spring after the frosts have gone. Do not attempt to grow broad beans in tropical or hot climates as the flowers will not set. They prefer a cool, moderate climate.

How to Grow Broad Beans and Crop Rotation

The broad bean can follow most crops. Potatoes which have been previously manured would be a suitable crop to follow. The pH of course would have to be closely monitored as legumes require a pH of about 6.5 - 7.00 to ensure maximum nitrogen fixation as well as good supplies of calcium and magnesium.

Brassica crops are also a good choice to follow broad beans. Althernatively, a green manure crop could be sown to use the nitrogen made available by the broad bean roots. The procedure would be to mulch down or incorporate the bean stalks into the top few centimeters of the soil. Leave for a fortnight, cultivate again, and sow the green manure crop. This would in turn be incorporated into the soil in readiness for the next crop.

How to Grow Broad Beans and Soil Preparation

Growing broad beans can be done in a range of soil types, but they do best in a reasonably heavy, but well drained soil.

They are gross feeders and have extensive roots, so raised beds, high in organic matter, with good aeration would be ideal. The addition of a compost would be very worth while. Broad beans, need good levels of calcium and magnesium to grow successfully, and will grow well in an acid soil as long as these nutrients are supplied. Dolomite or lime may therefore be necessary.

Along with good drainage, the availability of potash is important in helping to prevent 'chocolate spot' fungus that can attack your growing broad beans. Potash may be added in the form of rock dust, seaweed meal or ash from your fireplace as long as you burn untreated timber.

How to Grow Broad Beans and Sowing Seeds

Broad bean seeds should be placed 7 cm below the surface, in double rows at a spacing of about 15 cm. The double rows offer better support for the plants in a fertile soil. They will also create a micro-climate for your plants creating much needed humidity for fruit-setting. The rows should be spaced 25 - 35 cm apart and should be set out well to allow for maximum drainage.

Another way of planting broad beans is to plant 2 seeds in each hole. That way, when the plants grow, they can support each other in windy conditions, and you will also double your chances of germination. However, if you live in a warmer climate, planting like this is not advised as it compromises good airflow and could lead to fungal diseases.

How to Grow Broad Beans, Trellising, Pests and Weeds

Before your crop has begun to emerge it would be prudent to make sure that you have hoed well around your rows to keep any competitive weeds at bay. Because of the high nitrogen in the soil as a result of growing your broad beans, you will find that weeds are your major problem to control. When growing broad beans organically they can become susceptible to pests and diseases. Grow garlic and marigolds in between the rows to keep these at bay.

If you find your beans infected with blackfly or bean weevil, you can spray them with soapy water.

As the plants grow, especially the longpod variety you will need to stake your plants to protect them from being damaged by the wind. Banking the soil around the stems of the plants also give added protection. You can then run a single or double line of string, depending on the growth, along each side of the double rows to give support when the pods begin to fill and the plants become top-heavy.

Once a good number of pods have appeared it is wise to remove the growing tips from each plant to discourage aphids, common garden pests.

As mentioned earlier 'chocolate-spot' fungus is also a problem for broad beans, especially if the plants are grown during prolonged wet periods. Both the leaves and the stems can become infected.

Rust can be an issue with plants that have been sown too late, and mosaic, which is a viral disease, can also attack your plants. If your plants have mosaic, the only treatment is for you to remove affected plants and destroy to prevent it from spreading.

Your bean plant should be watered regularly, particularly during the flowering and fruit-setting period.

How to Grow Broad Beans, Harvesting and Yields

When do you harvest broad beans? You can pick your beans very young, as mentioned right in the beginning of this article. However, the average time is 3-4 months after sowing. Harvesting should be done at least twice a week and you should pick your beans from the bottom as these are ready first.

Your mature plants will indicate that they are ready when the pods begin to burst.

If you keep harvesting your beans, you will prolong the harvesting period. If you have had a good lot of bees in your vegetable garden your yields will be good, as this is essential for a good crop. However, an average yield is about 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 tons per acre. If the double rows mature well, the yields will be even higher. As the crop declines rapidly, it is important to harvest quickly if you are going to harvest mature pods.

You can save seeds for the following year by allowing large pods to dry on the plants before harvesting. Store the pods in a dark, dry place until the following season.

When your crop has finished bearing, cut off the stems, add them to your compost heap and then dig the roots back into the soil, to take advantage of the nitrogen-rich roots that will enrich your soil.

How to Grow Broad Beans and Cooking Them

Your young, immature beans can be eaten whole, including the pod. A little like snow peas where they can be eaten raw in salads, steamed, stir-fried or boiled. As your beans mature they will need to have their tough seeds peeled, but this is easier to do after they have been boiled.

However, another way is to do this by dropping the podded beans into boiling water for a few minutes and then removing the skins. Now you can boil them in a little salted water testing them regularly to see if they are tender or not.

I like boiling broad beans, and then frying up a little chopped onion, garlic and bacon together until golden brown. Stir through your boiled broad beans and serve. You can also serve them with a little melted butter and seasoning to taste.

Of course, you can also dry broad beans and then use them in soups and stews during the winter. Again, rub off the skins of your winter dried beans to make them more tender.

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