Broad beans, also known as broad beans or broad beans, are delicious, healthy and easy to grow. Their harvest time is in the summer, but varies slightly depending on the time of cultivation. Learn when and how to harvest your broad beans below.
The tough skin of broad beans is removed before cooking
When is broad bean harvest time?
Most broad bean varieties have a development time of around 12 to 14 weeks and can be harvested over several weeks. Since the broad bean is quite cold-resistant, it can be sown outdoors as early as the end of February. Then the harvest time begins in June.
Harvest broad beans green or let them ripen?
Broad beans are often harvested green and cooked and consumed as green beans with their pods. The beans should be harvested when they are still tender and not too plump. Another variant is to let the seeds mature on the plant and harvest them dry. Then the harvest time is pushed back by a few weeks. The broad beans are harvested when the pods are completely dry and will rattle when shaken.
Which variety has harvest time and when?
| variety name | Sow outdoors | harvest time |
|---|---|---|
| Triple White | late February to early May | June to August |
| hang down | late February to early May | June to August |
| crimson | February to April | June to August |
| Listra | February to May | June to August |
| Oscar | February to May | June to August |
| piccola | February to April | June to July |
| Priamus (Winter Broad Bean) | October to November | June to August |
| Robin Hood | March to June | July to September |
| witkiem | February to June | July to August |
You can find more delicious broad bean varieties and their characteristics here.
How are broad beans harvested?
Broad beans can be snapped off by hand or clipped from the plant using pruning shears or a knife. You save yourself work when processing if you remove the hard cap on the tip of the handle at the same time. Since the broad beans ripen gradually, you should harvest several times and leave the small, unripe beans on the plant and only harvest them in the next harvest.
Storing and processing broad beans
Green beans must be processed as quickly as possible. They only keep for a few days in the fridge. Therefore, peel and cook the broad beans immediately after harvesting. Dry-harvested broad beans can be stored in a dark, dry place for up to a year.