Fava (vicia faba) is an annual plant that can grow up to 2-7 ft. tall when planted in average, well-draining soil under full to partial sun. It’s best known for its medicinal properties and edible parts. In Chinese medicine, its said to be used as diuretic, expectorant, and tonic. Fava beans, also known as broad beans, are packed with vitamins and nutrients such as plant protein, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, fiber, and more. Dried fava beans can be ground into a flour or cooked and added to stews, soups, and other dishes (soak in water for 12-24 hours before cooking). Fresh, young beans are eaten raw, added to salads, or sautéed. Young fava leaves are often sautéed or added to salads, and have a taste similar to spinach.
|Sow:||Sow directly outdoors during the beginning of fall. For areas with colder, snowy winters, it’s best to wait until spring, or when the soil has dried.|
|Sow Depth:||2 in.|
|Days to Germinate:||7-21|
|Days to Harvest:||240-260|
|Sunlight:||Full sun to partial sun|
|Bloom Time:||Early April through late June|
|Special Properties:||Attracts pollinators, edible, medicinal, diuretic, expectorant|