Broad beans can be grown at home or sown directly outdoors. Since they are also slightly frost hardy as seedlings, they can be sown much earlier than, for example, lettuce or other vegetables. Below you will learn step by step how to sow broad beans.
When and how do you sow broad beans?
Thick beans can be grown in seed trays on the windowsill from the end of January or sown directly outdoors from February. Pay attention to a sowing depth of 5 to 12 cm and a planting distance of 10 to 20 cm. Ideally the location should be sunny.
Sowing broad beans in seed trays
Flat beans, also called broad beans, broad beans or broad beans, can be grown on the windowsill from the end of January. To grow broad beans you need:
- as deep as possible growing trays (€35.00 on Amazon) or recycled cardboard or plastic cups
- growing soil
- Fat Bean Seeds
- A watering can
Then proceed as follows:
- Soak the seeds in water one night before sowing. This increases germination.
- If you use paper or plastic cups, you should use scissors to cut a drainage hole in the bottom to prevent the seeds from drowning.
- Fill your growing trays with growing soil up to about one centimeter below the edge.
- Press a deep hole in the ground with your finger.
- Place one seed per pot and cover with soil.
- Pour some water into your bowls.
- Four weeks later, the young plants can be planted outdoors.
Sowing broad beans outdoors
From February you can sow your broad beans directly outdoors on a frost-free day. Broad beans can tolerate temperatures down to -5°C. If you live in a very cold region, it is better to wait until March to sow. Then proceed as follows:
- Loosen up your bed slightly.
- Draw a straight line in your bed using string and two trees.
- Now drill 5 to 12cm deep holes in the soil at a distance of 10 to 20cm (note the package insert!). You can also sow more densely, but then you have to prick out the plants.
- Place one seed in each hole and cover with soil.
- Press them lightly and water the seeds thoroughly.
All information about sowing broad beans at a glance
- Sowing depth: 5 to 12cm
- Sowing time: From February to April or May
- Pre-breeding: From the end of January
- Planting distance: 10 – 20cm
- Row spacing: 40 to 60cm
- Location: Sunny
- Trellis: No
- Soil: Calcareous to neutral (do not fertilize before sowing!), the last 4 years without legumes
- Bad neighbors: peas, onions, fennel
- Good Neighbors: Potatoes
Tip
You can find out when your broad beans are ready to harvest here.
