Fava Beans Anyone? How to grow and enjoy this DELICIOUS legume
Let’s start with a fun fact: fava beans are one of the oldest cultivated crops in human history, dating back to around 6,000 BCE! Fast-forward to today and fava beans are still a beloved staple worldwide, whether in creamy hummus, hearty stews, or fresh spring salads.
Fava beans are a joy to grow, especially in urban spaces. They’re hardy, low-maintenance, and can thrive in containers or small garden beds. Plus, when the conditions are right, these legumes can be “soil heroes,” naturally fixing nitrogen to enrich your garden. So, whether you’re a newbie gardener or a seasoned plant whisperer, fava beans deserve a spot in your lineup.
Choosing the Right Fava Bean (Vicia faba) Type & Variety
There are three types of fava:
Small-seed types (Vicia faba var. minor), called tick or pigeon bean, are most often used for animal feed.
Medium-seed types (Vicia faba var. equina), aka horse beans, are
Large-seed types (Vicia faba var. major), also known as Windsor bean or Broad bean, are the beans most common. These varieties are eaten fresh when they are nice and green or dried and stored to enjoy later.
Not all fava beans are created equal! Some are perfect for small containers, while others thrive in slightly larger garden beds. Here are some varieties that urban gardeners will love:
1. Aquadulce Claudia
Flavor: Sweet and mild, with a creamy texture.
Growing Conditions: Compact and cold-hardy, making it ideal for early spring planting in containers or raised beds.
Urban Tip: Works wonderfully on a sunny balcony or patio.
2. Crimson Flowered
Flavor: Delicate and slightly sweet.
Growing Conditions: Compact with stunning crimson flowers, making it both functional and ornamental.
Pro Tip: This variety is a conversation starter in any urban garden.
3. Windsor
Flavor: Rich and nutty, great for roasting or soups.
Growing Conditions: Thrives in small raised beds with good sunlight.
Pro Tip: This variety produces large pods, so fewer plants are needed for a hearty harvest.
Common Issues and Organic Fixes
Fava beans are resilient, but like all plants, they can encounter pests and diseases. Here’s how to tackle them the natural way:
Note: In general, rotating your crops will help prevent pest and disease infestations.
Pests
1. Aphids
Signs: Clusters of tiny bugs on leaves and stems, causing curling or yellowing.
Solution:
The first thing to do is to plan your garden so you can utilize companion plants like garlic or marigolds to repel aphids.
After planting, keep an eye on your plants so when aphids show up, you can take care of them early, before your plant gets infested. Give them a spray of water to knock them off your plant, and continue this for a week or so until they are gone.
If that works, great! if not you pinch off heavily infested tips and introduce beneficial insects to your garden. We find that creating a cozy environment for beneficial insects will naturally invite them to your garden, and they will stay, too.
If none of the above works, bust out the neem oil and soap insecticide. Thoroughly spray in the morning or evening when the sun and beneficial insects are not out. It may take a few days to see results, so be consistent because those aphids sure will!
2. Black Bean Aphids
Signs: Black or dark gray clusters near the tops of plants.
Solution:
See solutions for aphids above.
3. Slugs and Snails
Signs: Holes in leaves and slimy trails.
Solution:
You can always pick them off with your hands, especially from under things like rocks, slabs, or containers.
Use crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around the base of plants.
Set out shallow dishes of beer to trap slugs (yes, it works!). For some strange reason, they are attracted to the smell of beer.
Copper tape will deter them without harming them. The slim they secrete causes an electric shock when they come in contact with the copper, which sends them in the opposite direction.
Diseases
1. Chocolate Spot
Signs: Brown spots on leaves, often due to damp conditions.
Solution:
Improve airflow by spacing plants appropriately.
Water at the base, not on the leaves, to prevent moisture buildup.
2. Rust
Signs: Orange or reddish spots on leaves.
Solution:
If you are purchasing seedlings, make sure there are no yellow, orange, or black spots on the lower leaves.
Many diseases, including rust, make their way onto the plant through water and soil splashing on the plant. Plan ahead and include an irrigation system that will give your roots the water they need but will keep your leaves and stems dry in your garden design.
Remove and dispose of infected leaves immediately.
Rotate crops each season to reduce fungal buildup.
How to Grow, Care for, and Harvest Fava Beans
Planting Fava Beans
Choose Your Container or Bed:
Containers should be at least 12 inches deep with drainage holes.
Garden beds work best if the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter.
Prepare the Soil:
Mix compost or aged manure into the soil. Fava beans love slightly alkaline conditions, so add a handful of lime if needed. This is also a good time to mix a nitrogen-fixing bacteria, like Rhizobium, in the soil
Plant the Seeds:
Soak seeds in water for 12-24 hours to speed up germination.
Sow seeds 2-3 inches deep and 6 inches apart.
Positioning:
Place containers or garden beds in a spot with full sun to partial shade.
Caring for Your Plants
Watering:
Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogging. Check containers daily as they dry out faster than garden beds.
Fertilizing:
Fava beans fix nitrogen naturally, so they don’t need heavy fertilizing. A light top dressing of high quality compost mid-season is sufficient.
Support Structures:
Use bamboo stakes or string to support taller varieties.
Harvesting
When to Harvest:
Pods are ready when they feel plump but are still tender.
For dried beans, wait until the pods turn brown and brittle.
How to Harvest:
Gently pull pods from the plant to avoid damaging stems.
Relatable Anecdote: The first time I grew fava beans, I didn’t realize how tall they’d get. A windy day turned my patio into a bean jungle. Lesson learned: always add supports!
Nutritional Value of Fava Beans
Fava beans are not just delicious—they’re packed with nutrients:
High in Protein: Great for vegetarians and anyone needing a protein boost.
Rich in Fiber: Supports digestive health and keeps you feeling full.
Loaded with Vitamins: Particularly vitamin B6, folate, and manganese.
Recipe:
Fava Beans with TomATOES
By: Christina
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15minutes minutes
Total Time: 20minutes minutes
Ingredients
3 Tbsp (45 mL) extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion diced
2 cups (340 g) shelled fava beans, fresh or frozen
8 oz (225 g) cherry tomatoes or chopped tomatoes, canned or fresh
1 ½ tsp (8.5 g) salt
⅛ tsp (.7 g) tsp black pepper freshly ground. Just add a punch. ;)
Instructions
Sauté the onion in the olive oil over medium-high heat, adding a pinch of salt.
Once the onions are translucent and starting to brown a little, add the shelled (and peeled, if they are older) fava/broad beans.
Lower the heat to medium, stir, and partially cover for about 3 to 4 minutes.
Turn the heat back to medium-high and add the tomatoes, along with more salt and pepper if desired.
Stir and cook for another 4 or 5 minutes, uncovered, or until the fava beans are ready. Taste for seasoning and add as needed.
Remove from heat and serve hot, preferably with some fresh, crusty bread. Perfect as a vegan main dish or as a side, too.
Notes
Be sure to use good quality tomatoes for this dish.
If your fava beans are larger, more mature, and touch, peel the outer coating on the bean. Otherwise, cook them as they are after shelling.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 884mg | Potassium: 393mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 291IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
In Closing
Fava beans are more than just a crop—they’re a gateway to delicious meals, healthier soil, and a more sustainable urban garden. Whether you’re growing them on your patio or crafting your next masterpiece in your kitchen, these beans are here to prove that gardening and eating healthy can be easy, fun, and rewarding.
So grab some seeds and a sunny spot, and start growing your fava beans today. 🌱💚
With Love & Gratitude,
Janet & Jennifer
Some products mentioned in our blogs have affiliate links, meaning we get paid a small amount when you make a purchase through our link. We only recommend products we have personally tried and found useful.
