# Life Cycle of a Broad Bean Seed
Broad beans (also called fava beans) are named for their large, flat, round seeds, which come in a variety of colors. The beans can be eaten fresh or dried, or planted to produce new bean plants.
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Beans are a nutritious food.
Seed Development
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Broad bean plants take four to five months to grow. During this time, the bean seeds develop in large green pods 2- to 12-inches long.
Planting
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Broad beans should be planted in cold weather in shallow soil (about 2-inches deep). When the bean is watered, the shell softens, allowing nutrients to feed the growing plant.
Roots
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As the plant begins to grow, the seed splits open, and roots develop to anchor the bean plant in the soil.
Sprouting
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Once the roots are secure, the broad bean seed will sprout, producing a stem and leaves above ground. Both the roots and the stem will continue to grow.
Maturation
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The broad bean seed will eventually grow into a leafy plant about 2- to 5-feet high. It will produce bean pods, which should be picked while they are still green.
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Growing Beans
- Life Cycle of Beans & Soybeans
- The Life Cycle of a Sunflower Seed
- Germination of a Green Bean Seed
- Types of Broad Beans
- Stages of Bean Seed Germination
- The Life Cycle of Bean Plants
- Bean Seed Varieties
- The Life Cycle of a Green Bean
- Life Cycle of Pinto Bean Plants
- Life Cycle of a Bean Sprout Seed
- Structure of a Kidney Bean Seed
- Life Cycle of the Seed Corn Maggot
