Bean Seeds - Bush - Fava (Organic)
70-85 Days to maturity. Vicia faba. Organic Fava Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, organic, open-pollinated, heirloom, bush, shell, fava bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Also called Broad bean, Horse bean, Field bean, or Windsor bean, fava beans are one of the oldest cultivated plants, with origins tracing back to the Mediterranean region around 6,000 BCE. Fava beans are celebrated for their rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture, making them a gourmet favorite. They are incredibly versatile. These are much smaller seeded than the traditional English broad bean. The smaller seed lends itself well to use as a sprouting bean or a microgreen. They can be eaten fresh, dried, or even as a cover crop. Likewise, they are excellent in salads, soups, and stews and can be pureed for dips.
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Growing Organic Fava Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Fava beans prefer to be directly sown into the ground once the soil can be tilled; they don’t transplant well due to their deep taproots. When planting, sow the seeds about 1 to 2 inches deep. If you are starting seeds indoors (recommended for gardeners in colder climates or for early spring crops), begin sowing between February and March. Transplant them outdoors after the last frost when the soil can be worked, usually when it reaches around 50 F.
Space the seeds 4 to 6 inches apart in rows that are 24 inches apart. Fava beans have shallow roots, so consistent moisture is vital, especially during the flowering and pod development stages. Water the plants deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall, to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to mold or mildew, particularly due to the plant’s susceptibility to Black Aphids. To help retain soil moisture and reduce the risk of fungal issues, apply a layer of straw mulch around the plants.
A balanced organic fertilizer can be applied at planting time, especially if your soil is poor. Fava beans thrive in cooler weather, with ideal growing temperatures between 70-80 F. They can be sensitive to heat, so plant them early in the season or in the fall, depending on your region. If you’re growing them as a cover crop, plant outdoors between September and November to enrich the soil for the following spring.
Harvesting Organic Fava Beans
Fava beans are a shelling variety, meaning the beans are harvested from inside the pods rather than eating the pods themselves. Depending on your climate and planting time, fava beans take about 70-85 days to mature. The beans are ready to harvest when the pods are large, green, and slightly swollen. If you wait until the pods turn black or dry out, the beans will be tough and best used for drying rather than fresh eating.
To harvest, simply pick the pods from the plant by hand. For continuous production, pick the pods regularly, which encourages the plant to produce more. If you want to save seeds for next year or for dry beans, leave some pods on the plant until they turn completely black and dry out.
About Fava Bean Organic Garden Seeds
Fava beans are legumes, meaning they can fix their own nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria. As a result, they typically don’t require heavy fertilization.
Fava Beans are frequently grown as a cover crop. They can also be used as a delicious and high-protein sprouting bean. To sprout fava beans, soak them in water for 12-24 hours. Drain and rinse, then place them in a jar or sprouter. Rinse and drain twice daily, keeping them in a warm, dark place. In 2-3 days, you'll see sprouts ready to eat or plant.
Fresh beans are great for salads, sautés, and purees, while dried beans can be used in soups, stews, or ground into flour.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Plant-based protein is a hot topic these days, but in my opinion, it continues to be heavily underrated. You can enjoy fava beans without going full vegan!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Non-GMO Fava Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
=======Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Vicia faba |
| Bean Sub-Type: | Fava - Fava beans (also called broad beans) look like large lima beans; they are less starchy than lima beans and have a slightly sweet, mild nutty flavor and a creamy texture. Sprouting - Sprouting beans are our own category of beans popular for growing sprouts. These typically include mung, adzuki, and garbanzo which are very popular as sprouting beans, and even include a small fava and soybeans that are grown as sprouts. |
| Fava Bean Color: | Green |
| Fava Bean Flavor: | Earthy and nutty with a creamy texture when cooked. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 70-85 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 4-6 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24 inches |
| Plant Height: | 24-36 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Beans prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. As light feeders and nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans do not require nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. |
| Temperature Preference: | Cooler (50-70 F) |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow when soil temperatures are reliably above 60 F. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields, but is certainly not required for a successful grow. |
| Start Indoors: | Not Recommended. Beans grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting. |
| Bean Pollination: | Beans are self-pollinating as they contain both the male and female parts within their flowers, unlike other fruit and vegetable plants. While they are self-pollinating, having a variety of pollinators and flowers around will improve yields by ensuring the greatest chances for pollinating events to occur. |
| Snap or Shell Bean: | Shell - Shell beans have a non-edible woody or fibrous husk that contains the edible beans within. For example, edamame has the beans inside, but you wouldn't want to eat the husk. Shell beans are also sometimes referred to as shelling beans. |
| Pole or Bush Bean: | Bush - Bush beans grow on low-growing, compact, upright, bushy plants that typically do not need a trellis, pole, or other support. Bush beans are usually favorable to container growing. |
| Plant Width: | 12-18 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 66-86 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Beans are susceptible to beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Keeping your bean plants clean from dust build-up and surrounded by a variety of plants to help deter and prevent pest damage. Beans are also susceptible to powdery mildew, bean blight, rust, and root rot. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Bean Use: | Boiled, steamed, sauteed, soup, salad, stew. The young greens are also edible, like spinach. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Tolerant of cool weather. |