Fava beans, also called broad beans, are a cool-season crop that grow best in temperatures ranging from 60° to 65°F, but fava beans will grow in temperatures as low as 40°F and as warm as 75°F. Sow broad beans in spring in cooler areas as soon as the soil can be worked. Broad beans require 80 to 100 days to reach harvest. In mild-winter areas sow fava bean seeds in early fall for winter harvest.
Description. The broad bean is a bushy, hardy annual that can grow from 3 to 4½ feet tall. The broad bean has square stems with leaves divided into leaflets. Pods are 6 to 8 inches long and contain 4 to 6 flat, oval seeds that can be white, yellow, green, or pinkish-red. The broad bean has beautiful, white, edible flowers that are splotched with brown. The broad bean is not a true bean is related to vetch, another legume which makes it perfect for working the soil over the winter as well as adding nitrogen to your garden.
