Windsor Fava Bean (75 days)

The Windsor Fava Bean is large and plump with strong heat tolerance. Unlike bush and pole beans, Fava beans like growing (and performing best) in cool weather. A good crop to sow along with your peas. They are actually a relative of vetch, not a true bean, and have been cultivated for thousands of years around the world. The plant grows 3-4’, and pods form from white and black flowers along its length. Vroma Fava Bean pods can grow to 6-7” enclosing 4-5 large, elongated penny, sized beans. Green shell beans can be used like limas. If planted early, the harvest will begin in July. A fall/winter harvest is possible with late planting, especially in regions with mild winters     

30-40 seeds 

PLANTING

Vicia faba

Germination: 10-14 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures are 60-65ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1” deep 

Sowing Outdoors: Spring when soil temperatures reach 50-55ºF. Sow 4-6” apart. Planting in soil under 60ºF results in poor germination. 

How much does a packet plant: 10-15 foot single row 

Harvest: For shelling beans- pick when pods are fully formed and beans are green and soft. For dried beans- when pods are dried and beans inside are dry and brown.

Tips: The Windsor Fava Bean should be grown in light, well-drained soil and provide adequate, even moisture, especially at flowering time. Dry soil can result in low yields and fibrous pods. Do not over-fertilize with nitrogen which results in a surplus of foliage and low, delayed pod growth. Adding inoculant at planting time aids in a larger harvest and more robust plants. Sow a few times a season, 3-4 weeks apart for a continuous harvest.