Vicia faba

Broad bean

Common names: Field bean, Swollen bean, Puff bean

Photo: Stefan.lefnaer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

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Description

The broad bean is one of the oldest cultivated plants in Europe and is remarkably cold‑tolerant—early sowing from February produces thick, buttery seeds by June. It strongly fixes nitrogen and is an excellent green manure. Its flowers emit a sweet fragrance and attract bees.

Care instructions

Sow the large seeds early, from February to April, about 5 cm deep directly in the bed; they germinate at temperatures just a few degrees above freezing. Slightly mound the rows and remove suckers if attacked by the black bean aphid. Water evenly during flowering and harvest the pods when the seeds are clearly visible but the pod still has a bright eye.

Companion planting

Good neighbours

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Rather not

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Varieties

4 varieties

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