If you would like to harvest broad beans, also known as broad beans, as early as possible, you can bring them forward from the end of January. Below you will find out how to do this step by step and how to ensure a plentiful broad bean harvest.
How do I prefer broad beans?
Broad beans can be grown early at the end of January by planting them in seed trays with soil, watering them regularly and moving them outdoors after four weeks. This means the beans are better protected from frost and can be harvested at the end of May.
When and where are broad beans preferred?
Broad beans tolerate light frosts, but not when they are just germinating. Therefore, you should prefer to store your broad beans in a frost-free place such as a shed, cellar or greenhouse. It is possible to bring the broad beans forward from the end of January, but you can also start the venture later.
Prefer broad beans step by step
When moving forward, proceed as follows:
- Water your beans one night before sowing to help them germinate.
- Fill your seed trays (€35.00 on Amazon) with soil.
- Press a hole several centimeters deep into the soil.
- Place the beans in the holes and cover them with soil.
- Water the pots well.
- Water the germinating seeds regularly.
Tip
Prioritising also has the advantage that you can sort out non-germinated seeds and puny plants, so only strong, he althy plants end up in your bed.
Planting broad beans in the bed
After four weeks, the plants can go outdoors. Broad beans can tolerate light frosts, but if the ground temperature is below -5 degrees you should protect them from the cold with a fleece.
- First sort out all non-germinated or diseased plants.
- Then loosen the soil in the bed a little and pull the desired number of rows with a stick or rope and thread.
- The distance between the individual rows should be 40cm to 60cm.
- Then mark the planting locations using a tape measure.
- A distance of at least 10cm between the individual plants is advisable.
- Use a small shovel to dig holes large enough for the plants and place the plants in them.
- Fill the holes with soil and mound the plants a little. Press the soil firmly to give the plants sufficient support.
Tip
Broad beans have a growing season of about 4 months. This means that if you bring your broad beans forward at the end of January, you can harvest them as early as the end of May. Further information about the harvest can be found here.
