Fava bean (Vicia faba)

Heirloom Edible Bean | Cool-Season Crop | Soil-Building & Nitrogen-Fixing

Fava beans (Vicia faba) are a versatile, nutritious, and hardy legume prized for their large, tender beans and robust growth. Beyond their culinary value, they naturally enrich the soil and can be used as a cover crop, making them a multi-purpose addition to any garden.

Delicious & Nutritious

Fava beans have been cultivated for centuries for their rich, buttery beans. They can be eaten fresh, steamed, roasted, or dried for long-term storage. Packed with protein, fiber, and micronutrients, they are a staple in many cuisines worldwide and a rewarding crop for home gardeners.

Gardening & Ecological Benefits

Fava beans are more than just food — they are a garden powerhouse:

• Cool-season crop: Thrive in early spring or fall and tolerate light frosts.
• Winter hardiness: Mature plants can survive temperatures down to -6°C to -10°C (20–25°F) in well-drained soil, roughly USDA Zones 7–10. In colder zones, they can be sown early in spring for a full growing season, but will not survive harsh winter conditions.
• Nitrogen fixation: As legumes, fava beans capture nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil, naturally improving fertility for future crops.
• Cover crop potential: Even when grown for food, fava beans can act as a living green manure, preventing erosion and supporting soil health.
• Pollinator friendly: Their fragrant flowers attract bees and beneficial insects.

Growing & Germination

Fava beans are easy to start from seed. Sow directly in the garden once the soil can be worked in cool conditions. Soaking seeds for 12–24 hours before sowing can improve germination, especially in cooler soils. Plants grow tall (60–120 cm / 2–4 ft) with clusters of creamy white flowers followed by pods full of delicious beans.

Harvest & Use

• Fresh beans: Harvest when pods are plump but still tender.
• Dried beans: Allow pods to mature fully; shell and store for winter cooking.
• Leaves & stems: Can be cut and composted to further enrich garden soil.

Why Grow Fava Beans?

• Nutritious and versatile edible bean
• Improves soil fertility naturally through nitrogen fixation
• Supports pollinators and beneficial insects
• Cool-season crop with partial winter hardiness (USDA Zones 7–10; -6°C to -10°C / 20–25°F)
• Adds diversity, resilience, and ecological value to your garden

Fava beans are a true multi-purpose plant — feeding your family while feeding the soil. Growing them is an easy and rewarding way to cultivate abundance and harmony in the garden.

At least 15 seeds per packet.