How to grow Broad Beans in Australia
Sow broad beans direct in full sun in firm, free-draining soil, and avoid nitrogen feeding as they fix their own. Water steadily once flowers and pods appear.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 20 cm
- Time to harvest: 90 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to July | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to August | Slightly longer window than SEQ. Hinterland frosts help pod set. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to August | Extended cool season. Sow Mar to Aug. Sydney's cool winters suit broad beans well. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to August | Melbourne's signature winter crop. Sow Mar to Aug. Frost helps pod set. |
| Adelaide & SA | April to August | Excellent in Adelaide. Autumn-winter sow. Mediterranean conditions suit well. |
| Perth & WA | April to August | Perth's Mediterranean winter is ideal. Sow Apr to Aug. |
| Tasmania | March to May, August and September | Sow Mar to May to overwinter or Aug to Sep for a spring crop. A Tasmanian signature - frost improves pod set. |
| Canberra & ACT | March to August | Canberra's cold winters are perfect for broad beans. Signature crop. |
| North Queensland | May to July | Short cool window. Dry season only. Not a natural fit for tropics. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Pod set needs cool conditions. |
Varieties
- Aquadulce Claudia
- Coles Dwarf
- Crimson Flowered
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
For shelling, pick when pods are plump and the beans show through; for whole young pods, pick while flat and finger length. Twist or snap pods off the stem.
Storage
Fridge in pods for 3 to 4 days. Shell and freeze for months.