The Ultimate Fava Bean Growing Guide: From Seed to Harvest

Fava beans, also called broad beans, are a cool-season crop. The fava bean is a bushy, hardy annual that can grow from 3 to 4½ feet (.9-1.3m) tall. The fava bean has square stems with leaves divided into leaflets.

Plant fava beans, also called broad beans, directly in the garden 4 to 7 weeks before the last frost in spring. Sow broad beans as soon as the soil can be worked for harvest before the weather warms.

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Fava beans are a cool-season crop that grows best in temperatures ranging from 60° to 65°F (15-18°C) but fava beans will grow in temperatures as low as 40°F (4.4°C) and as warm as 75°F (24°C).

Fava beans can withstand light frost. For an extra-early start, sow fava beans 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost and have them ready to set out as soon as the soil can be worked. Young plants in the garden are best protected against heavy frost with row covers or plastic tunnels.

Fava beans require 80 to 100 days to reach harvest. In mild-winter regions sow broad beans in early autumn for winter harvest for a spring harvest.

Fava beans are not recommended as a summer crop where summers are dry and hot.

Fava beans will grow in most soils as long the soil is well-drained. Fava beans prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5.

Broad beans near harvest — Fava beans at harvest time

Harvest fava beans by picking the lowest pods on the plant first and working up the plant. Broad beans can be used young as snap beans or let beans develop in the pods.

Fava bean pods are 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm) long and contain 4 to 6 flat, oval seeds that can be white, yellow, green, or pinkish-red. The broad bean has white flowers that are splotched with brown. The broad bean is not a true bean; it is related to vetch, another legume.

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Fava bean planting details

Sowing depth: 1 inch (2.5cm)
Space between plant after thinning: 8 inches (20cm)
Days to sprout: 10
Days to harvest: 80-100
Storage period: 1-2 weeks fresh or several months dried
Seeds per 100-row feet: ½ pound
Yield per 100-row feet: 60 pounds (29 kg)
Suggested varieties: Aguadulce, Broad Windsor, Con Amore, Loretta, Sweet Lorraine, Windsor Long Pod

Broad bean seedlings for transplanting — Broad bean seedlings ready for transplanting

Fava beans quick growing tips

Sow fava beans in spring as soon as the soil can be worked for harvest before the weather warms.
Fava beans grow best in temperatures ranging from 60° to 65°F (15-18°C) but fava beans will grow in temperatures as low as 40°F (4.4°C) and as warm as 75°F (24°C).
Fava beans require 80 to 100 days to reach harvest. In mild-winter regions sow broad beans in early autumn for winter harvest.
Yield: Plant 4 to 8 fava beans per household member.

Where to plant fava beans

Grow fava beans in full sun.
Plant fava beans in loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Add aged compost to planting beds before planting.
Fava beans prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

Broad bean seedlings — Fava bean seedlings, also called fava beans

Fava beans planting time

Fava beans grow best in cool weather where air temperatures are below 70°F (21°C).
Fava beans, unlike snap beans, will not set pods in warm weather.
Sow fava beans in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked.
Fava beans will grow in temperatures as low as 40°F (4.4°C).
Fava beans require 80 to 100 days to reach harvest.
In mild-winter regions sow fava beans in early autumn for winter or spring harvest. They will not produce in the summer’s heat.
In cold regions, grow fava beans instead of lima beans, which require a warmer and long growing season.

Fava bean planting dates

(These dates are for the Northern Hemisphere)

Average date of the last frost	Planting dates
Jan. 30	Jan. 1-Feb. 15
Feb. 8	Jan. 10-Feb. 20
Feb. 18	Jan. 20-Mar. 1
Feb. 28	Feb. 1-Mar. 15
Mar. 10	Feb. 10-Mar. 30
Mar. 20	Feb. 20-Apr. 1
Mar. 30	Mar. 1-Apr. 10
Apr. 10	Mar. 10-Apr. 20
Apr. 20	Mar. 20-Apr. 1
Apr. 30	Mar. 30-May 10
May 10	Apr. 10-May 15
May 20	Apr. 20-May 30
May 30	Apr. 30-June 10
June 10	May. 10-June 15

Young broad bean plants, also called fava beans

Planting and spacing fava beans

Sow fava bean seeds 1 inch deep and 4 to 5 inches (10-12cm) apart.
Space rows 18 to 30 inches (45-76cm) apart.
Thin seedlings to stand 8 to 10 inches (20-25cm) apart. I
In short-season regions, start fava beans indoors in peat pots and set them in the garden shortly after the last frost in spring.

Fava beans companion plants

Grow fava beans with potatoes, cucumbers, corn, strawberries, celery, and summer savory.
Do not plant fava beans with onions or garlic.

Container growing fava beans

Fava beans can be grown in containers; use a 5-gallon container. A good crop will take more space than most containers can provide.

Watering and feeding broad beans

Water fava beans just before the soil dries out, but do not over-water them.
Keep soil moist during flowering and pod formation.
Plant fava beans in well-drained soil.
Fava beans do not require feeding apart from planting in fertile, composted soil. Beans set up a mutual exchange with soil microorganisms called nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which help them produce usable nitrogen.

Fava bean care

Keep fava bean planting beds weed-free; cultivate shallowly to avoid disturbing roots.

Fava bean pests

Fava beans can be attacked by aphids, bean beetles, flea beetles, leafhoppers, and mites.
Spray aphids away with a blast from the hose.
Bean beetles and flea beetles can be controlled with sticky traps.
Exclude leafhoppers with horticultural fleece or spray with insecticidal soap. and mites can be controlled.
Spray mites with insecticidal soap.
Small white and yellow moths are adult cabbage worms that shelter in beans. They will not harm beans.

Fava beans diseases

Fava beans are susceptible to blight, mosaic, and anthracnose.
Cut down the incidence of disease by planting disease-resistant varieties.
Keep the garden clean. Avoid handling the plants when they are wet.
Remove and destroy infected plants so they can not spread the disease to healthy plants.
Soil-borne diseases can be reduced by changing the location of bean crops each year.

Broad beans after harvest — Raw fava beans out of pods

Harvesting fava beans

Pick fava beans for fresh use like you would snap beans–when the seeds are about the size of a pea.
Pick fava beans for drying when they mature and begin to yellow, usually about 85 days after planting.

How to dry fava beans

For dry fava beans, let the pods mature and turn yellow.
Pick the pods before they darken or turn black (a sign of mold); this can happen quickly in humid or wet regions. If you allow the pods to turn black they will require additional time to dry.
Dry fava beans on a screen or cookie sheet in a warm, sheltered spot with good air circulation; do not dry beans outdoors if it is humid.
Beans can also be dried in a food dehydrator set on low heat.
The skin of the fava bean will wrinkle when it is dry.

Storing and preserving fava beans

Unshelled fava beans will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Fava beans can be frozen, canned, or dried.
Dried-shelled fava beans can be stored in a cool dry place for 10 to 12 months.

Fava beans varieties to brow

Few named varieties may be available; grow the variety available in your area.

Short-season varieties (80 days): ‘Express’, ‘Loretta’, ‘The Sutton’.
Longer-maturing varieties (90 days or more): ‘Aprovecho Select’, ‘Aquadulce’, ‘Aquadulce Claudia’, ‘Imperial Green Longpod’, ‘Jumbo’, ‘Masterpiece’.