Windsor Fava Bean

Soil and Nutrient Requirements

Fava beans prefer fertile, well-drained soils and enjoy cooler climate conditions. The use of inoculants can increase yields.

Seeding Depth

1"

Plant Spacing

Direct seed 3 seeds/foot, thin plants to 4"-6" apart.

Row Spacing

Rows 18 - 36" apart.

When to Sow

Direct sow in easy spring as soon as soil can be worked. Unlike snap beans and soybeans, fava beans enjoy cool weather and are best planted in early spring. Because of their early planting date, soil can be prepared in the fall for an early spring sowing.

Harvest

Harvest pods when the green beans inside are plump, approximately 2.5 - 3 months after direct sowing. Fava beans are frost hardy and can survive temperatures as low as 15 - 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pest Info

Cut worms can be controlled through practicing good crop rotation and sanitary field conditions, including removal of debris from around the planting area to deter overwintering.

Aphids can be washed off plants with a hard stream of water. They have several natural predators that control populations including parasites (aphids appear grey or bloated), lady beetle larvae and lacewings.

Disease Info

Bacterial brown spot appears as small, dark brown spots on leaves and pods may twist and distort. Control measures include planting certified seed, rotating crops regularly, and removing crop debris from fields after harvest.

Downy mildew can be reduced by five-year rotations with non-host crops.

Fusarium root rot can reduced by five-year rotations with non-host crops, planting only certified seed, and heat or steam treating seed prior to planting.