Broad Bean in March: monthly care

Broad beans thrive in full sun and prefer heavy, moisture-retentive soils such as loam or clay. They tolerate cooler conditions better than most vegetables, making them ideal for early sowings. Choose a sheltered spot if possible, as tall plants can be vulnerable to wind damage. Prepare the soil in autumn or early winter by digging in well-rotted compost or manure. Broad beans are legumes and fix their own nitrogen, so avoid nitrogen-rich fertilisers which encourage leafy growth at the expense of pods. The soil should be firm rather than freshly dug and fluffy; tread it down gently before sowing if necessary. Sow seeds directly outdoors from February to April for a summer harvest, or in October and November for an earlier crop the following spring. Autumn sowings are riskier in very wet or exposed gardens but can yield heavily if they survive winter. Plant seeds 5 cm deep and 20 cm apart in double rows, with 60 cm between each pair of rows. You can also start seeds in deep pots or root trainers under cover in late winter and transplant them out in early spring once conditions improve. Water the drills before sowing if the soil is dry. After planting, firm the soil gently over the seeds. Protect autumn sowings with cloches or fleece during severe frosts. In spring, keep an eye out for mice and birds, which can dig up or eat newly sown seeds; covering rows with netting or fleece until seedlings emerge helps deter them. Water in dry spells during germination to ensure even emergence.

Broad beans have moderate water needs. Water regularly during dry spells, especially once flowering begins and pods start to form, as moisture stress at this stage reduces yields and can cause flowers to drop. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around plants in late spring with garden compost or well-rotted manure helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keeps roots cool. Feeding is generally unnecessary. As legumes, broad beans fix atmospheric nitrogen through nodules on their roots, so additional nitrogen fertiliser is not only wasteful but can promote excessive leafy growth and fewer pods. If your soil is very poor, a light dressing of general-purpose fertiliser or compost before planting is sufficient. Overwintering autumn-sown crops may need protection during prolonged hard frosts. In colder areas, earth up soil around the base of young plants or cover rows with fleece or cloches. Spring-sown crops are more straightforward and avoid winter losses. Blackfly is the most common pest, clustering on shoot tips from May onwards. Pinching out tips helps, but if infestations are severe, spray with an insecticidal soap or simply blast them off with a strong jet of water. Encourage natural predators like ladybirds and hoverflies. Chocolate spot, a fungal disease causing brown lesions on leaves and stems, can occur in wet seasons or on overcrowded plants. Improve spacing and air circulation, and avoid overhead watering. Pea and bean weevil may notch leaf edges but rarely causes serious harm. Remove any affected plant material promptly to limit disease spread.