Yesterday I planted some Windsor Fava Beans. Fava beans are not only fun to say, they are pretty tasty to eat. And easy to grow.
I like to plant a little Swiss chard and kale plants near my fava for aesthetic reasons. Fava bean plants can get as high as 4 feet tall, so I think the fava bean, kale and Swiss chard combo will look pretty cool once everything is at the peak of its growing season.
If you have never grown fava beans before, here is how it’s done:
Brief description: Fava Beans are also known as Broad Beans, Field Beans or Windsor Beans. The beans are sweet, sized like a lima bean, and best when harvested and grown in early spring.
Where to Plant Fava Beans: Fava Beans are a cool season plant. They can be planted in garden beds, raised beds and containers.
Planting Seeds: Seeds should be soaked for 12-24 hours before sowing {unless you live in Seattle where it rains every freakin’ day}. Then sow seeds 1″ deep. When seedlings are 1″ tall, thin to 1 bean every 4″-6″.
Growing Tips: Plant in a full sun area. Plants do best when temperatures do not get above 60-65 degrees. Fava Beans do not need fertilizing, so long as they are planted in quality soil. They like well drained soil and should be watered just before the soil completely dries out. Do not over water, though.
How to Harvest: Fava Beans have different harvest times depending on how you plant on using them. When harvested young, the entire pod can be eaten. In the middle, they are best shelled and cooked, and finally, you can wait until the shell turns hard and brown to store the beans dry. To harvest, pick as you would a snap bean.
I think I’m going to do a little of both this year, eat some fresh, and also dry some beans to use later this winter in soups.
Here are a few Fava Bean recipes to try:
Arugula and Fava Bean Crostini
Grilled Rainbow Chard with Fava Beans and Oregano
Random Facts That Will Impress No One:
Did you know that there is a small population with a genetic condition called Favism? People who have the conditions should not consume Fava Beans. Who knew?!
Fava beans are one of the oldest crops known on record! There were some archeological remains found in Israel that showed they came from the Neolithic period. That’s 6800-6500 BC! There were even Fava beans found in the tombs of Egyptian rulers. Wowzas.
The fava bean was very popular in ancient Greece, but Greek philosopher Pythagoras believed that fava bean contained souls of dead people. So he and all of his followers started excluded fava beans from their diet.
Now go get your fava on! Anyone can do it! Dirt + Seeds+ Water = Food!
~Mavis
