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

Growing them 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.

Watering and feeding: 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.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids and caterpillars. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are rust and leaf spot. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

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

Harvest and storage: 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 planting 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.