How to grow broad beans in a raised bed

Broad beans are the hardiest, most generous winter legume — sow them in autumn and they'll shrug off the cold, feed your soil with nitrogen, and hand you buttery beans in spring.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun
• Spacing: 20 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 4–5 months

When should I plant broad beans?

Broad beans love the cool — sow directly in autumn and winter for a spring harvest. In cold zones, early spring works too. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): April to June
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): March to June
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): March to May and August to September
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): Not really suited to this zone
• Arid inland: April to June

How do I grow broad beans in a raised bed?

Sow seed straight into the mix. Tall varieties need staking or a string frame to stop them flopping. As legumes, they fix their own nitrogen, so go easy on feeding.

How often should I water and feed broad beans?

Keep the mix evenly moist, especially once flowering and podding. Pinch out the tops once pods set — it deters aphids and directs energy to the beans.

What pests attack broad beans?

Keep an eye out for aphids and caterpillars. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect broad beans?

The main ones are rust and leaf spot. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with broad beans?

A great soil-improver before a hungry crop like brassicas; keep them away from onions and garlic. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest broad beans?

Pick pods young for whole tender beans, or leave them to fill for shelling. The young growing tips are edible too, steamed like greens.

More growing guides: beans, peas and climbing beans.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Schlaghecken Josef, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.