Propagation
Sow fresh seed during spring in situ and avoid over watering during the germination period. The seeds may be dusted with a fungicide. Space the seedlings up to 100mm (4in) apart in rows that are up to 5m (15ft) long.

Botanic information
Leaf: The grey-green pinnate leaves have oppositely arranged oval to oblong leaflets with a cuspidate apex with a slightly fleshy texture.

Flower: The axillary papillionate flowers may be solitary or arranged in a cluster and are white with a dark-purple central blotch. They appear during spring.

Fruit: The large pods have a downy texture and vary in size depending on the cultivar or strain. The large seeds are whitish to crimson and are tender when immature.

Culture
The cultivation of Vicia faba(Broad Beans) requires a rich loam that is neutral to slight alkaline and may have a small amount of manure added. In hot climates mulching is recommended to maintain moist soils.

In frost free regions seeds are sown during autumn or in spring for frost prone regions. In a temperate climates Broad Beans may be grown throughout the year.
The pods are harvested while green, 2 to 3 months after planting. The beans should be young and tender; picked regularly every 5 to 6 days then cooked soon after.