Taking a broad view

Sow broad beans now and plants will stand over the winter. Most broad bean varieties have black and white flowers.

Now that daylight saving has ended, we seem to be galloping towards winter, so now is time to sow broad beans to harvest next summer.

The hardiest of the bean family, the broad bean (Vicia faba) germinates at low temperatures. It was grown in Europe 4000 years ago and was the only bean type known there until the 16th century, when runner beans were introduced from Central and South America. A rare form of poisoning, favism, has been identified in some people of southern European descent.

Broad beans do best on heavier soils which retain moisture but do not become waterlogged, so are generally a good vege for growing where lawn has been turned into garden. Lime is not usually needed, as all beans prefer a slightly acid soil. As with other veges, growing them in the same spot year after year is not recommended, as the soil tends to be depleted of some elements and "overstocked" with others.

A patch of heritage broad beans with red flowers, a rare sight.

Broad bean varieties are sometimes referred to as white or green, referring to the colour of the seeds at harvest time. Heritage red-seeded beans are occasionally available, as are beans with red flowers.

Sow broad beans 2cm deep, with the stitch (the black scar) pointing downwards. Space the beans 15cm apart - easy to do, as the seeds are large enough to place by hand - in two rows 30cm to 50cm apart. Sow a few extra beans at the end of each row; these plants are used later to fill any gaps.

When sowing broad beans, put in stakes behind each row to support tall types, such as Exhibition Long Pod and Superaguadulce. As these varieties can grow to 2m, they will topple in the wind if not held in place.

As the beans grow, use strong string around the stakes to cage the plants. Even the shorter varieties, such as Cole's Prolific and Imperial Green, are better staked, as they grow 1m or more.

When ready to eat, seeds of varieties such as Imperial Green are light green. Photos by Gillian Vine.

Being hardy, broad beans can withstand adverse weather conditions and, even if small plants seem to sit and do nothing over winter, as soon as the soil starts warming up in spring, they take off. The only drawback can be if they flower when there are no bees about, as this means no beans.

Broad bean tips
• Some gardeners recommend nipping out the growing tips so the plants will be bushier. The young tips can be eaten in stir-fries.
• If black aphids congregate on the tops of the stems, nipping out the affected part usually solves the problem.
• Rust can be a nuisance but is unsightly, not deadly, and seems more likely to attack spring-sown beans.
• Broad beans are one of the easiest crops for home freezing. Simply pod the beans and place in a single layer on a foil-covered tray. When frozen, tip into bags or containers and seal.