When to Plant Broad Beans (Fava) in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Sow May to July. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is May.

Also called fava beans, faba beans.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Broad Beans (Fava) guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Broad Beans (Fava)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Broad beans are a cool-season legume and one of the few crops that thrive in winter across most of Australia. They fix atmospheric nitrogen, improve soil fertility, and are one of the oldest cultivated crops. Best grown as a winter crop in temperate and cool zones; marginal in tropical areas.

Planting Calendar for Tropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - ✓ ✓ ✓ - - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Broad beans are cool-season crops. The tropical dry season is the only possible window (May-July) but even then, daytime temperatures are too warm for reliable pod set. Do not waste seed.

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 21.4°C (optimal range: 6–24°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Cairns), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Broad Beans (Fava) in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Broad beans are cool-season crops. The tropical dry season is the only possible window (May-July) but even then, daytime temperatures are too warm for reliable pod set. Do not waste seed.

Soil
Well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Tolerates heavier soils than common beans. Enriched with compost but not fresh manure.
pH Range
6.0-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun to light shade (minimum 5 hours). Tolerates partial shade better than most beans.
Spacing
25cm apart, 75cm between rows
Watering
Moderate water needs. Water during dry spells in winter. Increase watering during flowering and pod fill. Avoid waterlogging. Less thirsty than common beans.

Companion plants: Brassicas, Lettuce, Spinach, Potato, Corn (following season)

Avoid planting near: Onions, Garlic, Fennel

Tropical Growing Tips for Broad Beans (Fava)

Recommended Varieties

  • Not recommended, too warm

Key Challenges

  • Insufficient cold for proper development
  • Poor pod set in warmth
  • Chocolate spot in humidity

Pro Tips

  • Honest assessment: do not grow broad beans in the tropics
  • Grow snake beans, winged beans or cowpeas instead. They thrive in tropical heat
  • If you must try, the dry season at altitude (e.g., Atherton Tablelands) is the only hope

Harvesting Broad Beans (Fava)

When ready: Pods are plump, 15-20cm long, and beans inside are visible as bumps. For fresh eating, harvest when beans inside are bright green and about thumb-nail sized. For drying, leave pods on plant until completely brown and dry.

How to harvest: Snap or cut pods from stem. Start harvesting from the bottom of the plant (earliest pods). For fresh eating, pick regularly to encourage continued production. Inner skin of individual beans can be removed after blanching for best texture.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

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Common Questions About Broad Beans (Fava)

When do you plant broad beans in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does broad beans grow all year round in Cairns?

No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are May to Jul. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is broad beans called?

Broad beans is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it fava beans, faba beans. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.