Vicia faba

Fava Beans

Master the art of growing fava beans with our complete guide. Perfect for gardeners who want healthy, vibrant plants and a rewarding harvest every season.

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The Growing Guide

Soil Temp for Germ 45-65°F
Seed Depth 1-2"
Seed Spacing 3-6"
Days to Emergence 8–15
Thin Plants to 6-12"
Row Spacing 12-30"
Fertilizer Needs Low
Minimum Germination 80%
Seeds per Ounce Listed per variety
Seed Life 2-3 years

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More About The Seeds & Plants

Key to Fava Bean Disease Resistance & Tolerance

Anthracnose Fungal disease causing dark, sunken lesions on plants.
Bacterial Blight Bacterial disease causing water-soaked spots and wilting.
Bacterial Brown Spot Bacterial disease causing dark, water-soaked spots on leaves.
Bacterial Leaf Spot Bacterial disease causing dark, wet spots on leaves.
Bean Mosaic Virus Viral disease causing mottled, distorted bean leaves.
Curly Top Beet Mosaic Virus Viral disease causing curled, mottled beet leaves.
Downy Mildew
Halo Blight Bacterial disease causing haloed spots, bean wilting.
Powdery Mildew
Pod Mottle Virus Viral disease causing mottled, discolored bean pods.
Common Rust Fungal disease causing orange pustules on leaves.

* Numbers indicate specific disease race.

More About

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, bean weevils
• 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

From Our Farm Team

Employee Favorites: The Varieties We Grow Ourselves

Sweet Lorane Fava is our "employee favorite" for its tender, buttery beans with a rich, sweet flavor that’s perfect for fresh eating or cooking. The plants are vigorous and productive, offering reliable harvests. Its delicious taste and dependable performance make it a standout in our garden.

SWEET LORANE

Vegetable | fava bean | fava

From $4.55

230 days; fall sown. Selected by Territorial in the mid 1980s from among hundreds in a USDA small-seeded fava bean collection, Sweet Lorane was chosen especially for its hearty taste and cold tolerance. Typically grows to 30 inches. Allow plants to mature; once the pods begin to dry and crack, the beans are ready to harvest. Light brown/green-colored seeds; 45 per ounce.