Cover Crop, Organic (Fava Bean)

Botanical Interests Organic Fava Bean Cover Crop Seeds

Fava beans are dual-purpose! As a cover crop, fava beans have one of the highest nitrogen-fixing rates, and the large, deep roots break up even heavy clay and compacted soil. For maximum nitrogen, harvest crop at peak bloom and work back into the soil to increase level of organic material. Seeds can be sown in temperatures as low as 35°F, and plants are fast growing and very cold hardy. Fava sown after the summer solstice or in late summer/fall will produce tall plants but will not produce flowers.

Sowing Information:

• Light: Full sun
• When to Start Inside: Not applicable.
• When to Sow Outside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date for spring crop. For a fall crop, sow 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date.
• Seed Depth: Plant seeds 3 inches deep
• Seed Spacing: Place 2-4 seeds per square foot
• Thinning: Not required
• Days to Germinate: 8-15 days
• Days to Maturity: 30-60 days

Growing Notes:

• Variety Info: A small-seeded fava and a cold-tolerant cover crop for very early spring or fall sowing; excellent nitrogen fixer. White flowers with black centers provide much sought-after spring nectar for beneficial insects. Fava bean roots work to break up the soil. Because fava beans can germinate in temperatures as low as 35°F, they have the potential to be grown and incorporated before spring planting.
• Caution: People deficient in an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) should not handle seeds, consume fava beans, or inhale its pollen.