(Best months for planting Broad beans in USA - Zone 5a regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Your comments and tips

09 Sep 12, Tracie (Australia - temperate climate)

My first time at broad beans - they started off well but got eaten by the white cabbage moth I believe - so they are quite damaged and I was about to dig them into the soil to plant tomatoes - but they have now shooted from the sides and formed new growth - should I leave them is there anyway they are still going to grow? They are only 20cm tall? Thx

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25 Aug 12, Andy (Australia - temperate climate)

My broad beans have plenty of flowers - but are not setting any seed - so no beans. Any ideas? Thanks Andy

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05 Sep 12, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)

According to 'Organic Gardening' by Peter Bennett, this is a standard problem caused by sowing too early. They will flower profusely despite cold weather, but the flowers won't set pods until the cold is over. (He mentions frosts, but I don't think this issue is limited to actual frosts. I get the same in Perth including this year when I thought I was planting a bit early but went ahead amyway, and we've had little or no frost this season (where I live). As long as you weren't ever so early, you'll probably be OK, with pods setting and growing fast as soon as the weather warms. The growing tips should be pinched out when the pods start setting, as all they'll do otherwise is attract blackfly. Lightly boiled or steamed, they make a 'spinach' quite different from any other veg. I love them, but (like broad beans themselves) they're not everyone's cup of tea. One way to find out!

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05 Sep 12, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I second eating the tips - very tasty! Extra protein if you fail to wash out all the blackfly.

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28 Aug 12, Jeff (Australia - temperate climate)

Mine have plenty of flowers too - I am in Melb. Don't worry, when the weather warms up further, the pods will form. This is my 3rd or 4th year growing broad beans and they haven't disappointed.

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23 Sep 12, Eileen (Australia - temperate climate)

I grew broad beans the year I lived in Tassie. I probably planted them too early (ignorant in a new climate), but the winter frosts didnt bother them at all. Tassie has the old English bumble bee. Pete Cundall reckoned it kept working down to 2 degrees. I had plenty of pods come spring, but maybe it depends on the weather being right for the bees to pollinate? Anyway, we are eating our first beans of the year - on the NSW south coast. Yep, I probably planted too early here too. Gotta love broad beans

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06 Aug 12, Sonia daou (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I am looking to plant now is it too late ? Do i plant put the broad beans seed dry or do i souk them in water for some time ?

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07 Aug 12, Marcus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

It's not too late to plant, actually now is the perfect time. I've never soaked them and mine always work. just make sure there is plenty of moisture in the soil.

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16 Jul 12, Brian Vendt (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

My broad beans are about a metre high,but still no sign of flowers!!Also,I have had a battle with Aphids in all the top shoots,and have been spraying them.If I pulled them all out,could I put climbers,and dwarf beans,in the same patch?I have above ground veggie garden,and live on the Nerang River,at the Gold Coast.Thankyou.Brian vendt

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06 Jul 12, GLENYS (Australia - temperate climate)

I understand you can dig the plants into the soil to improve the soil. At what stage and when is the correct time to do this? Should I leave beans on the plants or remove them all?

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