Winter field bean

Home |

Children > For families > Grow it! > Winter field bean

Featured book

Grow Your Own for kids

This RHS book is packed with quick and easy activities for children to do in the garden

Buy now

Sow a green manure such as winter field bean this month to help protect your plot over the winter months.

Season

Autumn

Name

Vicia faba

Common Name

Field bean

Description

Winter field bean is a green manure that can be sown to cover bare soil either between crops or in the time before you sow your next crop. Winter field beans can be grown on heavy soils such as clay, in areas that are sunny to a slight shade.

Sow in the autumn and you can dig the green manure back in to your plot in the spring.

Interesting facts

Winter field bean will help to protect the soil during the winter months and prevent any nutrients in the soil being washed away by rain. It can also help to smother weeds.
Green manures can provide a shelter for beneficial insects (but also slugs and snails!).

Growing tips

Use a fork or a trowel to clear any weeds form the area you are going to use. Rake the space to level the surface of the soil.

You can sow the seeds in rows, or broadcast them across the soil and rake into the surface.

In spring, when you are ready to use the space to grow another crop, cut the leaves and leave them to die down. Then you can dig the plants and leaves into the top 25cm (10in) of soil.

Leave the space for two to three weeks before you sow or plant your next crop to give them the best start.