Broad Bean (Vicia faba)

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Lightfull sun to partial shade

Watermoderate

↑ Gives back

Mulch_biomassmedium

Tomato

Broad beans can provide nitrogen to tomatoes and help improve soil structure.

Corn Maize

Broad beans can provide nitrogen to corn, a heavy feeder.

Cabbage

Broad beans fix nitrogen, which benefits brassicas. They also provide some ground cover and can deter some pests.

JFMAMJJASOND

emergenceSeeds germinate and emerge when soil temperatures reach 5°C.

floweringFlowering is triggered by lengthening days and warm temperatures in late spring.

fruitingPods begin to form approximately one month after flowering.

harvestHarvest occurs when pods are plump and beans are well-developed, typically in early to mid-summer.

senescencePlants begin to die back with the first autumn frosts.

Drainagewell-drained

Nitrogen fixingYes

MycorrhizalYes

Accumulatesnitrogen

Soil textureloam, clay

Organic matterMedium

Compaction toleranceLow

Methodsseed

Difficulty1 / 5

Establishes in~0 yr

Stratificationnone

Self-seedingLight

Attractsbees, hoverflies

Can host pestsblack bean aphid

Can host diseaseschocolate spot, rust