Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Broad Windsor Fava Bean is a delicious edible bean variety that will also support our pollinators. This tall growing yet compact annual heirloom plant produces clusters of white flowers with dark purple lashes that mature into oblong edible bean pods. The young pods can be eaten fresh right off the vine, but many people prefer to shuck them and fry in oil or mash into a hummus alternative. This plant also fixes large amounts of nitrogen into the soil, making it a great regenerative choice for depleted soils. Depending on environmental conditions and plant maturity, your plant may produce 15 to 50 Fava Bean pods.
NAME: Bean (Vicia faba)
VARIETY: Broad Windsor Fava
DAYS TO MATURITY: 80 – 85
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 9
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
SOIL: Fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 – 7.0
PLANT HEIGHT: 36 – 48 inches
SPACING: 3 – 5 inches
TEMP: 55 – 90°F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Start seeds indoors 2 weeks before your last local spring frost in small pots that are roughly 3 x 3 inches
Plant 1 seed per pot, 1 inch deep in a proper seed starting soil mix that is well moistened. Small seed starting cell trays (cells are smaller thant 3 x 3 inches) will not be ideal with this Broad Windsor Fava Beans since they will quickly outgrow the container
Keep pots in an area that is 60ºF or warmer to ensure proper germination, which should occur in 5 to 7 days
Once the seedling sprout, place them 3 inches under LED/Fluorescent grow lights, 12 hours on and 12 hours off until they reach 3 inches tall
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process)
Transplant seedlings into your prepared garden bed 3 to 6 inches apart in rows spaced 12 inches apart and water them in
Only sow seeds outdoors when soil temps are roughly 60ºF
Direct sow the seeds into your prepared garden bed, 1 seed every 2 inches in rows spaced 12 inches apart
Water in well and continue to maintain moisture levels until germination occurs in 5 to 7 days
When seedlings sprout, thin plants so there is one every 6 inches
When seedlings are taller than 6 inches, mulch around the plant to retain moisture and reduce weeding; you may also choose to add fertilizer at this point
Prepare a garden bed by moving any weeds, rocks or debris, and choosing a spot in a full sun spot
If your soil is not fertile, work some compost into the top few inches
Since this is a tall bush variety bean generally no trellis is needed because if they are planted closer together, the plants will support each other
Sow a spring crop immediately after your last spring frost and another fall crop 2 months before fall frosts begin for extended harvest
The beans are best when harvested at approximately 4 inches in length; any larger and the begin to toughen in texture
Pluck the beans carefully with your hands and make sure you bring a bowl or bucket — these plants can produce vigorously!
