When sowing broad beans directly into the ground in early spring or late autumn, put your cloches out in advance to warm the soil. This aids germination and helps the plants to get established early. Sow your broad bean seeds in double rows, 23cm 9" apart. Stagger the seeds along each set of double rows to make the most of the space.
Broad bean seeds should be planted at a depth of 5cm 2" deep and a distance of 23cm 9" apart within each row. Water well once planted. Germination usually takes around 10 days. Lay out as many sets of double rows as you need, but remember to allow at least 60cm 24" between each set to make it easier to access and harvest your crops. If you prefer to start your broad bean plants in the greenhouse, they can be sown into module trays or small pots.
Germination tends to be more reliable under greenhouse conditions and it's easier to control pests such as mice, slugs and snails. If the soil is frozen outdoors then sowing in the greenhouse is a far better option. Your broad beans can be planted out once the soil is warmer and the plants have developed a good root system. Don't forget to 'harden them off' and acclimatise them to outdoor conditions prior to planting.
Broad beans can easily be grown in containers. Dwarf varieties such as Broad Bean 'The Sutton' are ideal for growing on the patio. They have deep root systems so choose a tall container to accommodate them, and be sure to keep them well watered throughout the growing season.
Broad beans can be harvested and cooked as entire pods while they're still immature, at around 7. However, they're more usually harvested a little later, when the pods are well filled and the seed still soft. The scar on the edge of each bean should be green or white in colour. It is also worth sowing a few extra seeds at the end of the rows to produce extra plants that can be lifted and moved to fill any gaps left by seeds that fail to germinate.
Dwarf varieties can also be sown in large containers filled with multi-purpose or loam-based compost and positioned in a sunny, sheltered spot. Unless rainfall has been high, soak plants well at the start of flowering and again two weeks later. Regular watering may be needed on light, free-draining soil. Dwarf plants in containers require regular watering throughout the growing season, as they dry out more quickly than plants in the ground. Run string around the stakes at 30cm 1ft intervals from the ground.
Smaller cultivars usually support each other, especially when planted in double rows. These tips are delicious steamed or stir-fried. Several pests, diseases and disorders can affect broad beans, but these robust plants are rarely severely damaged and usually still produce a good crop. Trapping can be effective for mice in a garden situation, although voles can be harder to control.
Break-back traps of the type used against house mice can be effective when set in places where damage is occurring. Pieces of carrot or dessert apple are effective baits for voles, and peanut butter for mice. When using traps or baits out of doors, they must be placed under covers to reduce the risk of other animals interfering with them.
Birds are particularly vulnerable to accidental trapping. In the case of broad beans, pinch out infested tips. On other beans, catch populations when small and squash. Common on overwintering plants or in damp, humid weather, this fungal disease causes brown spots on leaves and brown streaks on stems and pods. Ensure there is good air flow around plants by spacing them correctly and keeping the ground weed free. This tiny insect bites tiny U-shaped holes from around the outside of the leaf, resulting in a distinctive scalloped appearance.
Although unsightly, damage is unlikely to have an impact on the harvest. Covering with fleece will boost growth and exclude the weevils. Broad beans can be ready to pick from late spring to mid-summer, depending on the sowing time and variety. You can pick young immature pods when they are 7. When picking pods to shell, wait until the beans are visible through the pod. The plants are self-pollinating and will attract bees and other pollinators to the garden.
There are several types of fava beans, including:. Fava beans and lima beans are similar in appearance. However, fava bean pods are typically bumpy while lima bean pods are smooth. Plus, fava beans tend to be firmer when cooked and have a nutty, sweet flavor. Lima beans get softer and have a slightly starchier flavor. Fava beans take between 80 and days on average to reach their harvest, though that can change with variety and climate.
In addition to removing the pods, fava beans have a thick skin that needs to be removed before cooking. You can usually just pop them out of their skins, but know that it can be time-consuming if you're doing a lot. Shelled beans can be used immediately, stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days, or frozen for later use. Choose a small variety to make container growth manageable. A container that is at least 5 gallons with ample drainage holes is ideal, though note the space requirements for your specific variety.
An unglazed clay container is best, as it will allow excess soil moisture to escape through its walls. Add a stake or other support structure to the container to support the plant as it grows. Once the plant starts flowering, pinch off the top couple inches of growth to encourage a bushier habit. If your temperatures are still suitable to growing fava beans, the plants might regrow and provide a second harvest. Most gardeners grow fava beans from seed. And you can save seeds from a mature plant to grow during the next season.
This is an easy and inexpensive way to get new plants, and it will allow you to duplicate plants whose vigor or flavor was particularly good. Fava beans are planted much like other types of beans. You can speed up germination by soaking the seeds in water for 12 to 24 hours before sowing.
Direct sow the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and germination should occur in a week or two. Thin the seedlings to 8 to 12 inches because crowding can encourage diseases. A quality all-purpose potting mix with good drainage should suffice for fava beans. When growing them in containers, it's best to choose a large enough container for the mature plant right away to avoid having to disturb the roots in repotting.
Fava beans are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season. Therefore, overwintering is not necessary. Leaving the plant roots in place after harvesting will continue to fix nitrogen in the soil. Fava beans are largely trouble-free in cooler weather, but warm temperatures can bring a variety of insect pests, including aphids and black flies.
Pea and bean weevils might feed on the leaves and can damage young seedlings. And broad bean seed beetles can eat holes in the seeds, though this usually does not hinder germination. Fungal diseases and rust also can be a problem in wet conditions.
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