Sowing broad beans: spacing, depth and care

In the UK, broad beans (fava beans) are usually sown outdoors in spring for a summer crop. The RHS broad bean guide gives a practical in-ground method below. Autumn sowing is an option only for mild parts of the UK or very sheltered sites, using a hardy variety.

Choose a variety for the sowing season

Broad bean varieties differ in plant height and sowing time. Check whether the packet describes a hardy autumn type, a spring variety or a dwarf plant for a smaller plot. For autumn planting, use a variety sold for overwintering and choose a sheltered site with well-drained soil. In colder or exposed gardens, the usual spring sowing is the simpler choice.

For a longer summer picking period, the RHS suggests sowing several batches a few weeks apart. You can also sow under cover from February and plant outside in spring. This is useful if the ground is damp, which can cause seeds to rot, or if mice are likely to eat seed in the bed.

Prepare a row and sow seed scar-down

Choose a sunny, sheltered bed that drains well. Weed it and work in well-rotted compost ahead of sowing, allowing the ground to settle. Make a row in workable soil. Place each large seed with its scar facing down, 5–7.5 cm deep and 15–23 cm apart, depending on variety. Keep single rows 45 cm apart. For a double row, the RHS gives 23 cm between the two rows and 60 cm between pairs of rows.

Cover the seed and water the row. If some seeds fail to emerge, spare seeds sown at the end of each row can fill gaps. Undercover sowing uses a different setup: sow seeds individually about 5 cm deep in small pots or modules, then harden plants off before planting outdoors in early to mid-spring.

Spacing at a glance

RHS method	Between seeds in a row	Between rows
Single row	15–23 cm	45 cm
Paired rows	15–23 cm	23 cm within the pair; 60 cm between pairs

These are RHS UK measurements; spacing depends on the variety. The French SNHF method uses different spacing and sowing depth, so keep each source with its own context.

Treat autumn sowing as a sheltered option

The RHS allows October or November sowing in milder UK regions or very sheltered sites, especially where the soil drains well. February sowing can also suit these milder locations. Use a hardy variety and cover young plants with a cloche or fleece during cold spells. If water sits in the bed, use spring sowing or raise the planting area instead of leaving large seeds in cold, wet ground.

The French SNHF guide has a different regional rule: autumn sowing from October is limited to warm parts of southern and south-western France, with February–March for other areas. It gives a seed depth of 2 cm, unlike the RHS UK range above. Keep the instructions with their source and climate rather than merging them into one measurement.

Water at flowering and support plants as needed

Broad beans in the ground do not usually need regular watering unless they grow in light, free-draining soil. The RHS recommends giving plants a thorough soak when flowering starts and another two weeks later. Container plants dry more quickly and need more frequent checks. Keep the bed weed-free, and use soft support if taller plants lean in wind or under their pods.

Harvest pods while seeds are still tender, checking plants regularly as pods develop. Record the variety, sowing date, row arrangement and first harvest so you can compare spring and autumn methods on your own plot. What to plant in October gives seasonal context; the vegetable sowing and planting calendar and crop rotation guide help place the crop in a wider plan.

References: RHS, Broad beans; SNHF, Fève (in French).