Bean Seeds - Bush - Broad Windsor Fava
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70- 85 days to maturity. Vicia faba. Broad Windsor Fava Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, bush, shell, fava bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. This old English heirloom multi-use crop is one of the best on the market. Broad Windsor Fava Beans are a classic and popular variety of fava beans known for their large, flavorful seeds and versatility in cooking. They are ideal for gardeners looking for a dual-purpose crop, as both the seeds and leaves are edible. They also enrich the soil with nitrogen, making them a beneficial crop for crop rotation and soil health. Winter kills at ~15°F. ~15 seeds/oz.
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Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF (opens in a new tab) 
Growing Broad Windsor Fava Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Prepare the soil by adding compost or a balanced organic fertilizer before planting to provide essential nutrients like phosphorus and potassium. Fava beans should be planted at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Space the seeds about 6 inches apart in rows that are 18 to 30 inches apart. They are best direct-sown into the garden rather than started indoors. They prefer cooler temperatures and are frost-tolerant, making them suitable for early spring. In areas with mild winters, you can even sow them in late fall for a spring harvest.
If your soil is particularly poor, a light application of fertilizer during the flowering stage can help support pod development. Fava beans require consistent moisture, especially during flowering and pod formation. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. It's crucial to ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, particularly in heavy clay soils. They are not drought-tolerant.
Apply a layer of organic mulch around the plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Staking is not necessary if growing as a cover crop. If growing in a vegetable garden setting, staking the plants can prevent them from falling over. Use bamboo stakes or similar supports, tying the plants gently to avoid damage.
Harvesting Broad Windsor Fava Beans
Fava beans are ready to harvest 70 to 85 days after sowing, depending on the growing conditions. Broad Windsor fava beans are a shelling variety, meaning they are typically grown for their seeds rather than the pods. To harvest, snap off the pods by hand once they have dried or use scissors to cut them from the plant.
About Broad Windsor Fava Bean Garden Seeds
Fava Beans are one of the oldest cultivated crops, with evidence of cultivation going back to ancient times. These beans were traditionally grown for their ability to thrive in cooler climates and poor soils, making them a reliable source of nutrition.
Fava Beans are frequently grown as a cover crop. They can be a high-protein grazing option or simply an easy way to add nitrogen back into fallow fields while preventing erosion.
Also known as broad beans, favas are an excellent source of protein, fiber, vitamins (especially folate and vitamin K), and minerals such as iron and magnesium.
Unlike other beans that thrive in warm weather, fava beans prefer cooler temperatures, making them ideal for early spring or late fall planting.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Sowing a legume cover crop is the best way to add organic matter and nitrogen into the soil with little effort. All it takes is time and water (if rainfall is insufficient). "
Other Resources
Broad Windsor Fava Bean Seeds Per Package:
- 30 g - Wholesale - Approximately 15 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 60 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 240 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 1,200 Seeds
- 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 6,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Broad Windsor Fava Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping (opens in a new tab) on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Latin Name: | Vicia faba |
| Broad Windsor Fava Bean Color: | Green |
| Broad Windsor Fava Bean Flavor: | Earthy and nutty with a creamy texture when cooked. |
Growing Info
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Hardiness Zone: | Annual Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11 |
| Days to Maturity: | 70-85 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 4-6 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 18-30 inches |
| Plant Height: | 24-36 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Beans prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. As light feeders and nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans do not require nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. |
| Temperature Preference: | Cooler |
| Germination Temperature: | 45-65 F |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other Info
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow when soil temperatures are reliably above 50 F. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields, but is certainly not required for a successful grow. |
| Start Indoors: | Not Recommended. Beans grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting. |
| Bean Pollination: | Beans are self-pollinating as they contain both the male and female parts within their flowers, unlike other fruit and vegetable plants. While they are self-pollinating, having a variety of pollinators and flowers around will improve yields by ensuring the greatest chances for pollinating events to occur. |
| Snap or Shell Bean: | Shell - Shell beans have a non-edible woody or fibrous husk that contains the edible beans within. For example, edamame has the beans inside, but you wouldn't want to eat the husk. Shell beans are also sometimes referred to as shelling beans. |
| Pole or Bush Bean: | Bush - Bush beans grow on low-growing, compact, upright, bushy plants that typically do not need a trellis, pole, or other support. Bush beans are usually favorable to container growing. |
| Bean Sub-Type: | Fava - Fava beans (also called broad beans) look like large lima beans; they are less starchy than lima beans and have a slightly sweet, mild nutty flavor and a creamy texture. |
| Plant Width: | 12-18 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Mid-range; ready for harvest around 66-86 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Pests and Diseases: | Beans are susceptible to beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Keep your bean plants clean from dust build-up and surround them with a variety of plants to help deter and prevent pest damage. Beans are also susceptible to powdery mildew, bean blight, rust, and root rot. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Bean Use: | These beans are versatile and can be used fresh or dried. They are popular in salads, stews, and purees. The young leaves can also be eaten like spinach, and the dried beans are excellent in soups and casseroles. |
| Climate Tolerance: | None of note. |
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