When to sow broad beans

Broad bean , also known as southern bean and wild bean , is an annual or biennial plant of the genus Vicia in the family Fabaceae. It is not only a food with rich nutritional value, but can also be widely used in feed and medicine. It is grown in many areas in southern and northern my country. So when should broad beans be sown? Let’s learn more about it below.

When to sow broad beans

The sowing time of broad beans is mainly divided into two periods: spring and autumn. Spring sowing is usually in mid-to-late March to early April, while autumn sowing is in early October to early November. But the specific sowing time varies according to region and climatic conditions.

How to sow broad beans?

1. Site selection and land preparation

Broad beans are suitable for planting in loose, fertile and well-drained soil. Before planting, the soil needs to be tilled, weeds and stones removed, and the soil kept moist. Combined with land preparation, apply 20-25 kg of superphosphate plus 500-800 kg of organic fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer.

2. Seed treatment

Soak the broad bean seeds in clean water for no less than 6 hours, until the seeds absorb water and swell. Then take out the seeds, wrap them in wet cloth, and place them in a warm place for germination. Keep the seeds moist during the germination period and turn them over once a day until the seeds germinate.

3. Sowing method

It can be sown in strips or on demand. When sowing, 2-3 seeds can be sown in each hole, the sowing depth should be about 4-6 centimeters, and the sowing amount per mu should be about 6-10 kilograms.

4. Field management

(1) Intertillage and weeding: Remove weeds and soil compaction in a timely manner to keep the soil loose and breathable.

(2) Water management: Broad beans prefer moisture but avoid waterlogging. They need to be watered in time according to the soil and weather to keep them moist. Sufficient water is needed, especially during the flowering and podding period, but excessive moisture should be avoided to prevent root rot.

(3) Fertilization tips: During the growth period, nitrogen fertilizer is generally applied every 10-15 days to promote stem and leaf growth. In addition, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can be appropriately applied in the early stage of flowering to increase the yield and quality of broad beans.

5. Harvest and processing

Broad beans generally mature in late June to early July, when the leaves begin to turn yellow and the pods swell. The mature broad bean pods can be harvested, dried and stored for later use. You can also pick the immature broad bean pods and use them as seeds for the next season.

In general, when choosing the sowing time, you need to fully consider the local climate conditions, soil conditions and the growth habits of broad beans to ensure normal growth and high yield of broad beans. At the same time, follow-up planting management work is also needed to improve the yield and quality of broad beans.