Whole plant
Overall shape, height, branching and growth habit.
Legumes
Broad Bean growing guide
Hardy cool-season legume that can be sown in autumn for a spring harvest. One of the few vegetables that thrives in cold wet winters.
Photo reference
Use this real-world photo as the main plant reference, then compare it with the botanical drawings below for leaf, flower and harvest details.
7-14 daysGermination
80-100 daysHarvest
20 cmSpacing
5 cmSow depth
FullSun
HardyFrost
2 cm/weekWater
6-7pH
Planting calendar by climate
Use these windows as a public guide. Plotera can personalise tasks around your saved garden, location and planting dates.
| Climate | Sow | Transplant / Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical | Apr - Aug | Apr - Aug | Jun - Oct |
| Subtropical | Mar - Jul | Mar - Jul | May - Sep |
| Mediterranean | Feb - May | Feb - May | Apr - Jul |
| Temperate | Feb - May | Feb - May | Apr - Jul |
| Cool | Feb - May | Feb - May | May - Aug |
| Arid | Mar - Jun | Mar - Jun | May - Aug |
Botanical reference
Compare the whole plant first, then check the leaf, flower and harvest detail to identify what Broad Bean should look like as it grows.
Leaf detail
Leaf shape, edges, colour and vein pattern.
Flower detail
Flower colour, structure and where blooms appear.
Harvest / detail
Fruit, root, seed, pod or the strongest identifying feature.
Cooking and eating ideas
A quick garden-to-table guide for using Broad Bean after harvest.
Raw / fresh
Eat only varieties known to be safe raw, such as snow peas or young garden peas; most beans should be cooked.
Cooked
Steam, stir-fry, shell, simmer, dry, or cook into soups, curries, stews and side dishes.
Store / preserve
Freeze young pods, dry mature seeds, or pickle suitable young pods.
Try: Steamed pods, Stir-fry, Bean soup, Dried pantry beans.
Good companions
Carrot, Lettuce, Spinach, Potato
Avoid near
Onion, Garlic, Fennel
Growing note
Pinch out growing tips when first flowers appear to deter blackfly.
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