How to Grow Broad Fava Beans in Zone 7

Broad beans, or fava beans, can thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 11. Fava bean plants are surprisingly resilient, giving gardeners in zones with milder winters the option to plant in either spring or fall. Unfortunately, the temperatures experienced in zone 7 winters are a bit too low for fava beans to survive, so you will need to plant in the spring. These fast-growing beans don't require much outside of moisture and sunlight, making them a fairly low-maintenance addition to your garden.

Spade
Garden fork
Manure
Compost
Broad bean seeds

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the planting area in early to mid-spring, after all danger of frost has passed. Choose a spot that gets lots of sunlight through the day. Use a spade to dig up the garden bed and aerate the soil. Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost or manure over the area and blend it into the soil with a garden fork.
- 2
  Press the broad bean seeds into the soil to a depth of about 1 inch. Leave about 5 inches of space between each seed in the row and about 2 feet of space between each row. Cover the seeds with soil and water the entire bed until the soil is just damp.
- 3
  Check the bed daily, particularly as temperatures rise, for any dry spots and water as often as necessary to keep the soil moist. Continue this watering regimen up to harvest time. Stake the plants for added support as they grow.
- 4
  Apply a mild garden pesticide to protect the plants from aphids and black flies, common pests for broad beans. Follow the manufacturer's directions for dosage and application.
- 5
  Harvest the beans about three months after planting by picking them. Look for bean pods that are plump and cause the limbs to droop from the weight. You may see edible pods earlier than this--they will be about 3 or 4 inches long.

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