Diary of a Broad Bean
Three months ago, I didn’t think I’d be writing a blog about how to grow broad beans—but here we are. These were the first seeds we planted on our slightly mad journey to rediscover The Good Life, and the results have been nothing short of encouraging.
For something so simple, broad beans have taught us a lot already, from germination quirks to unexpected ant encounters and the pure satisfaction of seeing something thrive. Whether you’re a first-time grower or rediscovering your gardening roots, broad beans are a great place to start.
Broad Bean Basics
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Germination period: 7–14 days
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Planted: Early NZ Spring
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Grown: Undercover in greenhouse
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Hit rate: 100% germination (18 seeds sown from a packet of 50)
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Status: Thriving, leafy, and taking up more space than expected
Germination (and Improvisation)
We originally planted our broad bean seeds into trays of potting mix, mostly because our vege patch wasn’t quite ready. To be more specific, the vege patch was still a pile of hopeful dreams and 9 cubic metres of topsoil sitting on the driveway.
So we opted for a greenhouse start. This was not particularly scientific, but the safest choice for early spring when chilly nights still linger.
Lesson: Broad beans are hardy. If the ground is warm enough, you can absolutely sow directly into the soil next time. But if the garden isn’t ready, potting mix works just fine.
Broad beans don’t waste time. Within a couple of weeks, the seedlings were bursting out of their trays and quickly becoming root-bound. We knew we had to act fast.
With the vege patch still under construction, we opted to re-pot into larger containers to keep the growth going. It worked beautifully. These beans clearly wanted to live—and live large.
Tip: If starting in trays, plan ahead. Broad beans grow rapidly and need room to stretch their legs (or roots).
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When to plant: Early spring or autumn (NZ)
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Where to plant: Full sun, well-drained soil
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Spacing: Broad beans grow tall and leafy, so space at least 20–30 cm apart
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Support: Use stakes or string lines for support as they grow taller (yes, they will need it!)
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Watering: Keep soil moist but not soggy
Planting Quantity: When “Just a Few” Becomes Plenty
We only planted 18 seeds from a packet of 50. All 18 germinated. This was both exciting and mildly terrifying, as we now had an army of bean plants and only a vague idea of how much space they’d need. (Spoiler: more than we expected.)
We’re saving the rest of the packet for a second planting later in the season, another great feature of broad beans. They don’t mind a staggered planting, and you can extend your harvest with a bit of planning.
Ants, Aphids, and Unexpected Guests
One odd observation: ants took a liking to our broad beans, drawn to the nectar-producing black spots on the upper leaves. This nectar isn’t harmful and the ants weren’t doing any damage, at first.
However, ants are known to “farm” aphids, protecting them from predators in exchange for the sweet honeydew they produce. Not ideal. We kept a close eye on things, ready to act if needed.
Lesson: Ants aren’t always troublemakers, but watch for aphids. Prevention is easier than cure.
Broad Beans are very hardy….although note:
- Until the aphids show up! Check out how we dealt to them: ridding aphids organically.
- Broad Beans benefit from being supported upright -they are not like a climbing bean so need some extra help as a mature plant so they don’t flop over.
