Winter Field Beans Growing Guide

Vicia faba

Winter Field Beans

Crop Rotation Group

Legumes (Pea and Bean family) ●

Soil

Any average, well-drained soil.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

A cool-season annual, winter field beans can tolerate frost but are killed by temperatures below -12 to -9ºC (10-15ºF).

Feeding

None usually needed.

Spacing

Single Plants: 25cm (9") each way (minimum)
Rows: 20cm (7") with 40cm (1' 3") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Poke holes in prepared seedbed and plant seeds 5 cm (2in) deep. Winter field beans may be planted in late summer, or in very early spring. In milder areas they can be planted quite late into autumn.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Primarily grown to increase soil nitrogen. Small-seeded varieties are best for cover crop use.

Harvesting

For maximum nitrogen gain, chop down and compost plants as soon as they begin to bloom, leaving the nitrogen-rich roots in the soil.

Troubleshooting

Winter field beans attract numerous beneficial insects. Do not grow them just before potatoes or other root crops, because field beans can host rootknot nematodes.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Winter Field Beans