Growing fava beans in the garden means abundant food but did you know that fava plants can enhance the health of your soil? Fava beans are often used as a cover crop by farmers and gardeners to boost the nitrogen and condition the soil in agriculture! This versatile legume is more than a delicious addition to the kitchen menu. Keep reading to learn how to reap the benefits of the fava bean in the garden and in the kitchen.
Fava beans also known as broad beans that have been dated back to 11,000 years ago! With early cultivation in Israel and the Middle east. This highly nutritious legume has withstood the test of time. It’s no wonder it’s become a favorite for many home gardeners as well. Growing Fava beans have several advantages over other legumes. They can tolerate colder temperatures and in mild climates can be grown through winter. There is varieties suited for different regions, with a little research you can find the which will perform better in your area. I’m gardening in zone 9b here in California and have found the Windsor fava bean a great one for my area. This heirloom variety is hardy down to 12 degrees F!
If you want a no fuss cool season crop this is it, they are a set it and forget it crop that is abundant and tolerates poor conditions and yet finds a way to thrive. It’s easy to find dried fava beans in the grocery store but fresh favas are hard to come by, and if found their season is quite short. Growing fava beans in the garden is a great way to enjoy this versatile legume that offers a sweet buttery flavor.
Favas from the garden to kitchen- how to use?
Fava beans comes in different shapes and sizes, some pods are as big as a quarter! Not only are the beans edible so are the greens, they are tender and spinach like. Fava beans can be left to used as a dry legume, or picked early. The tender green pods are delicious and packed with flavor. They can be used in soups, hummus, falafels, or even fried as a crunchy salty snack, the list goes on and on! Fresh fava beans have a slightly nutty, earthy flavor that pairs well in many dishes. The bean itself is enclosed in a waxy layer. This layer is best removed if the favas are mature, it will be tough and unpleasant to chew. In younger pods the protective film is thin and tender enough to be eaten. To remove the waxy coat blanch them for a minute in boiling water and transfer them to an ice bath and the layer will be so much easier to peel.
How do fava beans fix soil?
So how do fava beans fix nitrogen? This incredible process can be observed down in the roots of the plant. Nitrogen fixation starts by a bacteria called rhizobia, that starts colonizing and begins forming nodules in the fava bean roots. This simply means fava beans have the ability to trap nitrogen from the air and make it usable for the plant. As the roots begin decomposing they release remaining nitrogen back into the surrounding soil. Nitrogen is an important macronutrient that is essential for plant growth, fava beans are incredible making their own fertilizer in a sense!
If you have been gardening for a while and building up your soil with organic matter and compost chances are there is rhizobia bacteria already living in your soil. If you are gardening in new soil inoculating (adding in rhizobia at the time of planting beans) can be a great idea. Linda from Garden Betty breaks it down perfectly!
Cutting down the plants before they begin blooming will give the soil the maximum nitrogen dose, that will benefit your next crop. Once the plant starts setting fruit it will use stored up nitrogen to produce the pods. The whole plant is beneficial you can do what is called a “chop & drop” for added soil building properties. Cutting down at the base and leaving the plants to serve as a mulch and decompose in place will add organic matter back in your garden.
If you’re like me and want the best of both worlds chop some plants before they bloom and leave some to produce pods to enjoy in the kitchen. Once all your pods are harvested go thorough the same process and chop at the base, leaving roots to decompose in place. The nitrogen released back into the soil will be less, it will still be beneficial for the next round of crops that will be planted in that space.
Seed starting– Starting fava beans is rather simple they can be direct sowed in the garden in the late fall in mild climates and grown all through winter. In colder climates as soon as the ground is workable in early spring. Since they can handle colder temps down to 12 degrees F (depending on variety) There is no need to start them inside. For my zone 9b friends direct sow Oct-Nov once the temps have cooled. I direct sowed them November 1st and started harvesting in spring.
Spacing and location– Plant seeds every 3 in. about 1 in. deep and rows 18 in feet apart ( good rule of thumb is to plant any seed twice deep of their size) Plants grow upright and can grow upwards of 5 feet depending on variety. They will need a bit of support so they don’t flop over. I like to used some twine and posts it’s inexpensive and efficient .
Sun requirements – Full sun location is especially important when growing through winter. Days are shorter and choosing a spot with the most sunlight will set up plants for success.
Water needs-Keep well watered throughout germination stage and consistent watering for the rest of the growing season. They are fast growers that require consistent moisture to produce those quarter size pods!
Soil– Fava beans can thrive in almost any kind of soil because of their nitrogen fixing ability.
Harvesting– 100 days approx. to harvest. Pods can be harvested as soon as beans pods are visible, they will plump up reaching around 6 in long. They can also be left to dry on the plant to use as a dry legume.
With 100 degree summer temperatures still hitting many areas, including mine. The fall garden may not be the first thing on your mind but this one would be such a great addition! Growing fava beans in the garden is no fuss making the extra work to prep them in the kitchen a breeze!
Happy gardening!
-Tahiri
