UK sowing calendar
When to sow broad beans in the UK
Broad beans sowing calendar (UK)
| Sow under cover | Feb-Mar (in pots) |
|---|---|
| Sow / plant outdoors | Autumn Oct-Nov or spring Feb-Apr |
| Harvest | Jun-Aug (autumn-sown from May) |
Hardy enough to overwinter: autumn-sow a tough cultivar like 'Aquadulce Claudia' (Oct-Nov) for an early May-Jun crop, or sow in pots under cover from February for planting out in spring. On cold, wet or windy sites spring sowing is more reliable.
UK timing runs on the last-frost date, not a USDA zone. Most of Britain sees its last frost around mid-May, with the north and exposed inland gardens a week or two later and the mild south-west and coast earlier. Tender crops start under cover and only go out once frost has passed; hardy crops can be direct-sown as soon as the soil is workable.
Timing aligned with the RHS grow-your-own guide for broad beans.
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When to sow broad beans in the UK — FAQs
When should I sow broad beans in the UK?
Sow broad beans under cover Feb-Mar (in pots), then outdoors autumn oct-nov or spring feb-apr. Hardy enough to overwinter: autumn-sow a tough cultivar like 'Aquadulce Claudia' (Oct-Nov) for an early May-Jun crop, or sow in pots under cover from February for planting out in spring. On cold, wet or windy sites spring sowing is more reliable.
Can you sow broad beans outdoors in the UK?
Yes — sow or plant broad beans outdoors autumn oct-nov or spring feb-apr. Wait until after the last frost (around mid-May, later in the north) for anything tender.
When is broad beans ready to harvest in the UK?
Broad beans is typically harvested Jun-Aug (autumn-sown from May) in the UK, depending on your sowing date, cultivar and region.
Is it too late to sow broad beans?
It depends on the month and your region. Broad beans has a UK outdoor window of autumn oct-nov or spring feb-apr; northern and exposed gardens run a week or two behind the south. Open Growli and tell it your postcode for timing tuned to your own last-frost date.