Planting & Growing Instructions for Fava Bean Seeds

Heirloom / Open Pollinated Fava Bean Seeds

(Vicia faba)

Heirloom / Open Pollinated Fava beans are hardy cool season plants that can tolerate some frost but do not tolerate heat (above 70°F) well. Direct plant Heirloom / Open Pollinated Fava Bean Seeds in spring as soon as soil can be worked, 1″ deep, 4-6″ apart, in rows 18-30″ apart, in full sun . Germination occurs in 5-10 days at 60-70°F. Thin Fava Bean plants to 8-10″. In mild winter climates, Fava Beans can be fall planted for spring harvest. Harvest as Snap Beans when Fava Bean Seeds in pods are the size of a pea. For shelling beans harvest when the Fava Bean pods are thick and well-filled with seeds, while the pods are still green. For dry beans, leave pods on Fava Bean plants until pods are dry, brown, and crisp, and beans are hard and rattle in pod.