How Deep and How Far Apart to Plant Fava Beans

Fava beans are cool-season legumes that thrive when planted correctly—deep enough to anchor their tall stems and spaced to allow good air circulation. Getting depth and spacing right helps prevent disease, supports sturdy growth, and sets the stage for a plentiful harvest.

I’ve been planting fava beans for decades in my Sonoma Valley garden, and every year I find that careful spacing makes the difference between a tangle of weak stems and a robust, upright stand of plants heavy with pods. Here’s how to do it right.

Table of Contents

Planting Depth

Plant fava beans 1 to 3 inches deep, depending on soil type and moisture:

Light, sandy soil: Sow 3 inches deep to keep seeds from drying out.
Heavy, clay soil: Plant 1 to 2 inches deep so seedlings can emerge easily.
Moist conditions: Go slightly shallower; in drier soil, plant deeper.

Firm the soil gently over the seeds and water well after planting. Fava beans have large seeds and will rot in soggy soil, so ensure good drainage.

Plant Spacing

Between seeds: Space seeds 4 to 6 inches apart in the row.
Between rows: Space rows 18 to 24 inches apart.

This spacing allows air to move between plants, reducing fungal problems, and gives each plant room to branch and set multiple pods. In my experience, 6-inch spacing works best in raised beds, while closer spacing—around 4 inches—works in double rows for a fuller stand that shades out weeds.

Block or Bed Planting

In raised or wide beds, you can plant in a grid pattern instead of rows. Space plants 6 inches apart in all directions for even growth and easier harvesting. This method, part of my NEW system (Narrow bed, Equidistant planting, Wide rows), makes efficient use of space while maintaining airflow.

Supporting Tall Plants

Fava beans can grow 3 to 5 feet tall. To keep plants upright:

Hill soil lightly around stems as they grow.
Use string or twine supports along the rows.
Space plants properly so they don’t lean or fall in wind or rain.

My Experience

In my Zone 9B garden, I plant fava beans about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart in November. By February, sturdy stems have formed dense, leafy rows that bloom in early spring. Proper spacing ensures each plant gets enough sunlight and airflow—and by late April, I’m harvesting full pods from plants that stand tall and healthy without crowding.

Key Takeaway:
Plant fava beans 1–3 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart in rows 18–24 inches apart. Good spacing and depth lead to strong roots, better air circulation, and abundant pods.