This year I’ll be diving into the nitty gritty on how to grow your own vegetable favourites and unusual vegetables, by teaching you what varieties are available for your vegetable gardens, when to start sowing seeds, growing requirements and top tips like how to keep the pests off your prized plants.

First up are one of the most popular seeds to sow in February (in the Greenhouse) and March (Direct sowings outdoors) in the UK.

Broad Beans

Broad Beans are one of the most common vegetables grown worldwide and are very easy to grow for beginners and are very nutritious.

Origins

Broad beans are originally from North Africa and South-West Asia and then gradually spread to Europe and Spanish adventurers then brought the seeds to South America and Mexico.

The ‘Broad’ in Broad beans refers to the size of the bean.

Nutrition

Broad beans are very nutritious as they contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals including vitamins C and B, iron, magnesium.

Protein – As with most beans, Broad Beans contain Protein (one cup of beans = 13g protein) so are great to add to all diets and dishes.

Fibre – Broad beans contain a lot of Fibre which is great for your digestive system. (One cup of beans = 9g of fibre).

Fat – Broad Beans are low in fat.

Broad beans are great for Bone Health and have immune boosting ingredients and can improve heart health.

Broad Beans (3 heaped tablespoons) also count as 1 of your 5 a Day fruit and Vegetables as per NHS Guidelines.

Can Everyone eat Broad Beans?

No. There are two reasons why a small minority of people cannot eat Broad Beans.

Digestive issues

Beans often create bloating and gas in humans via the digestive process. This can be uncomfortable but adding beans to your diet regularly in small amounts can reduce this issue.

Favism

People who suffer from a genetic disorder G6PD deficiency can suffer from shortness of breath, raised heart rate and temperature, jaundice and nausea after eating Broad Beans.

Broad Bean Growing Conditions

Broad beans like growing in cool temperatures so are perfect for starting to be sown from February in the UK.

Some overwintering varieties can be started outdoors between October and November if the soil is not too waterlogged and will slowly grow overwinter (they don’t mind the ice or snow and are very hardy plants).

Top 3 required Growing Conditions for Broad Beans

1. A Sunny site, although broad beans like cool temperatures they do need full sun to produce bean pods.

2. A sheltered site – Broad beans plants can grow up to 1.5 meters so need a sheltered area away from the wind.

3. A Rich and free draining soil – Broad Beans do not like their roots to sit in waterlogged soil as the plants can rot. Compost should be added before sowing or planting beans into the soil.

Broad Bean – Seeds

The Broad Bean seed is quite large and therefore easy to sow especially with children. The large seeds contain an enormous amount of energy which boosts the plants to grow quickly. When sown in Spring, the longer light levels in the day and early sunshine make the broad beans grow.

From a February sowing, you could be harvesting pods and eating beans in May.

How to Grow Broad Beans Guide

Part 2 📗 – Comparing Broad Bean Varieties

Part 3 📘 – How to Sow, Grow & Harvest Broad Beans FREE PDF Checklist

Part 4 📙 – How to Plant Out your Broad Beans in a Raised Bed with video.

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