How to Plant & Grow Fava Beans

Fava beans, also known as broad, Windsor, or horse beans, have a creamy, nutty taste and are often at their peak in late spring or early summer. They grow best in semi-northern climates with a long, cool growing season. They require 80-100 days to grow and will not produce in hot weather, although they do need full exposure to sun.

Fava beans
Loose, well-drained, composted soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8
Water

Instructions

Instructions
- 1
  Sow the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil, 3 to 5 inches apart. You can plant them in containers for a small crop. The seeds should begin to sprout in 7 to 14 days. Begin planting as early as November if you live in a warm climate. Fava beans are usually planted in February or March.
- 2
  Keep soil moist but do not over-water, and weed regularly.
- 3
  Thin the plants as they grow into bushes, leaving 8 to 10 inches of space between each plant.
- 4
  Pinch the tops of the fava bean plants when the first pods begin to form to produce a more abundant crop. Support the growing plants by pushing soil up around the base of the plant.
- 5
  Harvest the bean pods when they are bright green, thick, and glossy. They should be eaten or frozen soon after picking, but can be kept in the refrigerator for a day or two.

The Life Cycle of a Green Bean

Red Bean Plant Growth

Growing Beans