When to sow Broad Bean (Autumn-sown) in the UK
Broad Bean (Autumn-sown) is sown relative to the average last frost, so the right week depends on where in the UK you garden.
Sowing and harvest dates by region
Broad Bean (Autumn-sown) is timed from the average frost dates, so its timings shift across the UK. Plot works them out from the Midlands and Lowland Wales baseline using Met Office average frost dates.
| Where you are | Sow outdoors | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| South West Coast and Cornwall | early November to late December | late May to late June |
| South Coast and Channel | late October to mid December | late May to late June |
| Greater London (Urban Heat Island) | late October to mid December | late May to late June |
| South East and Home Counties | early October to late November | late May to late June |
| East Anglia | early October to late November | late May to late June |
| Midlands and Lowland Wales | early October to late November | late May to late June |
| Wales and West Coast | mid October to early December | late May to late June |
| Northern England | late September to mid November | late May to late June |
| Scotland Lowlands and Central Belt | mid September to early November | late May to late June |
| Scotland Highlands and Islands | late August to mid October | late May to late June |
| Northern Ireland | early October to late November | late May to late June |
| Channel Islands and Isle of Man | early November to late December | late May to late June |
Growing notes
Sow a hardy variety such as 'Aquadulce Claudia' in October or November to overwinter as small plants, giving a harvest in late May and June, two to four weeks ahead of spring sowings and usually before blackfly build up. Only worth it on free-draining ground; on cold wet clay the seed rots and a February sowing is safer.
At a glance
- Spacing
- 20 cm between plants
- Row spacing
- 45 cm
- Plants per m²
- 11
- Days to maturity
- 240 days
- Yield per plant
- 0.4 kg
- Sun
- Full
- Frost tender
- No
- Grows in a container
- Yes, 25 litres or more
- Minimum soil depth
- 30 cm
- Balcony rating
- 3 out of 5
What usually goes wrong
- chocolate spot
- broad bean rust
- black bean aphid
- losses in a waterlogged winter
Companion planting
Grows well near
- potato
- summer savory
Keep away from
Related guides
Timings cross-checked against RHS guidance for broad bean (autumn-sown).