Vicia faba

Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding.

Culture
• Fava beans prefer cool weather; sow as soon as soil can be worked in the spring
• Can be fall sown in zones 6 and above
• Beans are shallow rooted and can require up to 1/4 inch of water a day during hot weather
• Apply 1 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet, and 1 inch of compost

Direct Sowing
• One ounce of seed plants 4-10 row feet
• Sow September—October for an overwinter crop
• When sown in the fall and overwintered, fava beans mature in mid to late May

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Aphids
• Insect control: Pyrethrin

Harvest & Storage
• Shelling beans: Pick when fully formed but still soft and green
• Dry beans: Harvest mature beans before pods begin to shatter in the field
• If weather prevents field drying, pull plants and dry inside on a tarp, turning pile daily for even drying
• To thresh dry beans: When material is brittle dry, place material in bag and swing against a hard surface, or beat with a stick or rake on a tarp
• Make sure beans are fully dry, then store in a cool place
• Bean weevils may be eliminated by freezing the seed near 0°F for 2 weeks