Will Fava Beans Grow in Washington State?

Fava Beans

• Fava beans are shelled like Lima beans and either dried or eaten fresh. The plants grow to a height of 2 to 6 feet. They are early-season legumes, and among the most frost-hardy of bean crops.

Growing

• Fava beans adapt to a wide range of conditions, but prefer moist, well-drained soils with a near-neutral pH. Though they can usually survive a mild frost, extreme low temperatures can still be damaging, so do not plant them until May, when most frost danger has passed.

Uses

• In addition to gardeners growing fava beans at home, farmers often use them as a winter and spring cover crop to keep soil aerated, nitrogen replenished and weeds controlled.