Fava Bean

Fava beans favor cool weather and well-drained loam around pH 6.0-7.0. They usually need little added nitrogen, but tall plants benefit from support and steady water during flowering; hot weather can stop pod set.

Sun

Full sun to part shade

Water

Even moisture; about 1 in/week including rain

Spacing

8 in

First harvest

75–100 days

Tips

• Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart as soon as spring soil is workable, or in fall where winters are mild.
• Water for about 1 inch weekly while flowers and pods develop.
• Support tall varieties with stakes and twine before stems become top-heavy.
• Inspect tender shoot tips for black aphids and dislodge small colonies with a firm stream of water.
• Pick green pods when seeds are full-sized but tender; people with G6PD deficiency should avoid fava beans because they can trigger hemolysis.