Fava Bean

Fabaceae

NOT a true bean — related to vetch (Vicia faba). Uses PEA inoculant (R. leguminosarum bv. viciae). Tolerates down to 10-15°F. DUAL PLANTING WINDOW: Spring (zones 4a-7b, plant with peas as early as soil is workable) or Fall (zones 8a+, Sept-Nov for overwintering spring harvest at ~240 days). Will NOT set pods in warm weather. Tall upright growth (2-6 ft), may need staking. Edible flowers, pods, beans, shoots. Three harvest stages. Broad Windsor: spring, 75-85 days. Aquadulce Claudia: fall/overwinter, most cold-hardy. HEALTH NOTE: G6PD deficiency (favism) can cause severe reactions.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

75–100 days

Sun

6+ hours

Container

Yes

5+ gallon pot

Height

2–6 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 7–14 days

Optimal Temp 55°F

Seed Depth 2"

Watering

Weekly Water 1 "

Needs Moderate

Soil

pH Range 6–7

Resilience

Heat: Low Cold: High Drought: Medium

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Light feeder

Harvest

Storage Harvest pods when beans swell for fresh shelling; allow pods to mature/dry for dry beans.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Nasturtium Listed as a compatible companion in UC Master Gardener chart.

Silver queen sweet corn Listed as a compatible companion in UC Master Gardener chart.

Avoid Planting Near

Green onion scallion Allium family commonly listed as poor companions in charts.

Softneck garlic Allium family commonly listed as poor companions in charts.

Sources

university Oregon State Extension — Faba Bean seed_catalog Botanical Interests university UC Master Gardener Program (UC Davis) — Companion Planting Chart

More Vegetables

Fava Bean Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Fava Bean vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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