Short-Season vs. Long-Season Fava Bean Varieties

Fava beans (broad beans) vary widely in how long they take to mature—from quick 75-day crops to long-season varieties that can take up to 120 days. Understanding the difference between short- and long-season types helps you choose the right fava beans for your growing climate, planting window, and harvest goals.

Table of Contents

🌱 What Are Short-Season Fava Beans?

Short-season fava beans mature in 70 to 90 days from planting. They are ideal for regions with short springs, cool summers, or limited frost-free days. These varieties grow quickly, flower early, and produce medium-sized beans with mild flavor.

Best conditions:

Mild winter or short spring climates (Zones 8–10 for winter planting, Zones 4–7 for spring planting)
Gardeners who want an early harvest before hot weather arrives

Top short-season varieties:

Sweet Lorraine: Compact plants; smooth, nutty flavor; ready in 75–80 days.
Aquadulce Claudia: Cold-hardy and reliable; ideal for overwintering; 85–90 days to harvest.
Banner: Excellent overwintering type; high yield in cool weather; matures in about 85 days.

🌾 What Are Long-Season Fava Beans?

Long-season varieties take 100 to 120 days to mature. They tend to produce larger plants, longer pods, and bigger beans with richer, more complex flavor. These varieties perform best in regions with long, cool springs or mild summers where heat doesn’t set in too quickly.

Best conditions:

Coastal regions or inland valleys with cool growing seasons
Gardeners planting early in spring or overwintering in mild climates

Top long-season varieties:

Broad Windsor: A classic variety with large, creamy beans and high yield; 100–110 days.
Supersimonia: Buttery, gourmet Italian variety; best flavor when fully mature; 110–115 days.
Ianto’s Return: Heirloom with exceptional flavor and large green seeds; 100–110 days.

🕒 Choosing the Right Variety for Your Garden

Garden Condition	Best Choice	Recommended Varieties
Short spring season	Short-season	Sweet Lorraine, Aquadulce Claudia
Overwintering in mild climates	Short- or long-season	Aquadulce Claudia, Banner, Broad Windsor
Long, cool spring or coastal climate	Long-season	Supersimonia, Ianto’s Return, Broad Windsor
Early harvest for continuous crops	Short-season	Sweet Lorraine, Banner
Gourmet flavor and large beans	Long-season	Ianto’s Return, Supersimonia

🌿 My Experience

In my Zone 9b garden, I plant Aquadulce Claudia in fall for an early spring harvest and Broad Windsor in early spring for a later, more robust crop. Mixing short- and long-season types extends my harvest window and ensures a steady supply of fresh beans from March through June.

🫘 Fava Bean Variety Comparison Chart

Category	Variety	Days to Maturity	Plant Height	Cold Tolerance	Flavor Profile	Yield	Best For
Short-Season	Sweet Lorraine	75–80 days	2.5–3 ft (75–90 cm)	Good	Mild, nutty, smooth	Moderate	Early harvests, containers, small gardens
Short-Season	Aquadulce Claudia	85–90 days	3–4 ft (90–120 cm)	Excellent	Buttery, earthy	High	Overwintering, early planting, mild climates
Short-Season	Banner	80–85 days	2.5–3 ft (75–90 cm)	Excellent	Classic fava flavor	High	Cool-season and overwinter gardens
Long-Season	Broad Windsor	100–110 days	3–4 ft (90–120 cm)	Good	Rich, creamy, full-bodied	High	Traditional flavor, large beans
Long-Season	Ianto’s Return	100–110 days	3.5–4 ft (105–120 cm)	Good	Nutty, rich, gourmet	Moderate	Heirloom flavor, fresh or dried use
Long-Season	Supersimonia	110–115 days	3–4 ft (90–120 cm)	Fair	Buttery, mild, delicate	High	Culinary use, salads, and late harvests

🌱 Summary

Short-season fava beans: Mature faster, ideal for quick harvests or short cool seasons.
Long-season fava beans: Produce larger beans and richer flavor, best for regions with extended cool growing periods.