How to Grow & Care for Fava Beans (Broad Beans)

Fava beans (Vicia faba), also known as broad beans, are a fast-growing, cool-weather annual vegetable that can be planted in either the early spring or fall. The plants are large and leafy with square, hollow stems that are fairly sturdy but might flop under the weight of the pods. Fava beans are not twining climbers like many other bean species. The leaves are rounded and look more like pea leaves than bean foliage. These plants thrive in full to partial sun and don't require fertilization. Note that both the fruits, flowers, and even pollen can be toxic to certain people who experience favism.

How to Plant Fava Beans

When to Plant

If you live somewhere with a mild winter, plant fava beans in fall to winter for a spring harvest. Alternatively, plant as soon as danger of frost has passed for a summer harvest.

Selecting a Planting Site

Fava beans need a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Make sure no nearby plants will create too much shade for them as they leaf out in the spring. It's also possible to grow them in raised beds, but because they grow quite large, only dwarf cultivars, like 'Bell Bean', perform well in containers.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Plant seeds about 1 to 2 inches deep and at least 6 inches apart. Rows should be roughly 2 to 3 feet apart.Stake plants while they're still young to avoid disturbing the roots once they mature.

Fava Bean Plant Care

Light

Fava beans prefer to grow in full to part-sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days.

Soil

Fava beans can tolerate a range of soil types, as long as there is good drainage. A loose, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is ideal.

Water

The plants have average water needs and some drought tolerance. About an inch of water per week is fine. However, during flower and fruit production, keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy.

Temperature and Humidity

Temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit are best. The plants will struggle in hot temperatures and be more prone to diseases. They can tolerate temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit well — and even cooler temperatures down to 21 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods.Humidity typically isn’t an issue as long as there is adequate soil moisture and good air flow around the plants. Long, cool growing seasons are best.

Fertilizer

Fava beans, like other legumes, fix their own nitrogen into the soil and therefore don't usually require additional feeding. However, working compost into the soil can help with growth, especially if the soil is nutrient-poor.

Types of Fava Beans

There are several types of fava beans, including:

• 'Aquadulce Claudia': A large Spanish variety with good disease resistance. It takes about 90 days to mature when planted in the spring or 240 days when planted in the fall.
• 'The Sutton': A dwarf variety, reaching 14 inches tall, that's great for limited space, containers, and windy areas. It matures in 80 days.
• 'Sweet Lorane': A smaller bean bred to have fewer tannins. It matures in 100 days.
• 'Windsor': This variety produces large, flavorful beans. It takes about 90 days to mature when planted in the spring or 240 days when planted in the fall.

Harvesting Fava Beans

Fava beans are ready to harvest when the pods are thick, green, and feel full. Using scissors or garden shears, carefully cut the pod off the plant. While you can eat smaller pods whole, you'll need to shell large pods. Store harvested fava beans in a plastic bag in your refrigerator for up to five to seven days, or freeze or pickle them.

How to Grow Fava Beans in Pots

Growing fava beans in containers is a good option if you don’t have the garden space. Choose a small variety to make container growth manageable. A container that is at least 5 gallons with ample drainage holes is ideal, though note the space requirements for your specific variety. An unglazed clay container is best, as it will allow excess soil moisture to escape through its walls. Add a stake or other support structure to the container to support the plant as it grows. A quality all-purpose potting mix with good drainage should suffice.

Pruning

Once the plant starts flowering, pinch off the top couple inches of growth to encourage a bushier habit. Prune plants to a few inches from the ground after you’ve harvested the ripe pods. If your temperatures are still suitable to growing fava beans, the plants might regrow and provide a second harvest.

Propagating Fava Beans

Most gardeners grow fava beans from seed. And you can save seeds from a mature plant to grow during the next season. This is an easy and inexpensive way to get new plants, and it will allow you to duplicate plants whose vigor or flavor was particularly good. Here’s how:

1. Allow pods to dry out on the plant. Then, cut them off.
2. Arrange the pods in a single layer, and dry them for at least two weeks indoors in a cool, dry spot with good air flow.
3. Remove the seeds from the pods, and put them in an airtight container. Place the container in a freezer for a week. Then, store it in a cool, dark spot.

How to Grow Fava Beans From Seed

Fava beans are planted much like other types of beans. Here's how to great fava beans from seed:

1. Speed up germination by soaking the seeds in water for 12 to 24 hours before sowing.
2. Direct sow the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart.
3. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and germination should occur in a week or two.
4. Thin the seedlings to 4 to 6 inches because crowding can encourage diseases.
   

Overwintering

Fava beans are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season. Therefore, overwintering is not necessary. Leaving the plant roots in place after harvesting will continue to fix nitrogen in the soil. However, in warm climates, many gardeners plant fava beans in the fall, overwintering them in the moderate climate, for a spring harvest.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Fava beans are largely trouble-free in cooler weather, but warm temperatures can bring a variety of insect pests, including aphids and black flies. Pea and bean weevils might feed on the leaves and can damage young seedlings. Broad bean seed beetles can eat holes in the seeds, though this usually does not hinder germination.

Fungal diseases and rust also can be a problem in wet conditions. Watch for powdery mildew, fusarium root rot, mosaic virus, and broad bean chocolate spot. Make sure you provide plenty of room between the plants to improve air circulation.

Fava bean flowers grow in spiked clusters and are mostly white with dark markings, although they can also be crimson. They mature into thick, waxy pods that can stretch to almost a foot long and contain up to six seeds.

To encourage your fava bean plant to flower, ensure there isn't too much nitrogen in the soil. These plants generally do not require fertilization, so if you are over-fertilizing with a nitrogen-based fertilizer, the plant may not flower.

Common Problems With Fava Beans

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves on a fava bean plant could either be due to a nutrient deficiency (iron, nitrogen, or magnesium) or a water deficiency. Ensure your plant has a regular supply of moisture. If that doesn't remedy the issue, you may need to improve the quality of the soil.

Dropping Leaves

Fava bean plants can drop leaves when under stress. This could be due to low water, excessive heat or cold, or improper light conditions.

From: thespruce