The Humble Broad Bean is a Loyal Friend of Dunedin Gardens

It’s no secret that it’s getting colder. Falling leaves, blustering winds, and temperatures struggling to get above 10 degrees. Some might imagine that our southern coastal soils simply go into hibernation at this time of year. While it’s true that we don’t have the year round growing conditions like our friends up north, we can still grow highly nutritious food throughout the colder months.

Broad beans are ideal for Ōtepoti gardens. They are easy to grow, provide abundant yields, enrich the soil with nitrogen, and offer versatility in cooking due to their flavourful taste. They’re delicious! Just try doing anything other than boiling them!

Traditionally, broad beans are sown from March until mid-May, grow through the winter, and bring us significant crops in early summer. Broad beans are a popular vegetable for southern gardeners because not only do seeds germinate in cold ground but they also prefer our heavier soils. They are extremely hardy.

Soil for broad beans does need to be very well drained and enriched with plenty of compost. Phosphates will encourage healthy growth. They can be added through organic materials such as composts, green manures and animal manures.

Well supported broad bean plants can provide really effective windbreaks in your garden and you can plant them strategically to be a shelter for smaller, fragile crops like lettuce and tomatoes in spring. 

Broad beans work well when sewn in double rows, approximately 20cm apart, with the seeds placed about 10cm apart and 5cm deep. Pro tip: Sow a few extra seeds at the end of rows to transplant into any gaps later.

Check out our map of seed libraries here to find some free seeds (and swap anything other seeds you might have)!

Happy growing!