Broad Windsor Fava Beans arranged with flowers and foliage on a white background.
A close-up macro detail of Broad Windsor Fava Beans with blooms.
Broad Windsor Fava Beans cookie recipe arranged on a wooden board surrounded by beans.
A close-up view of Broad Windsor Fava Beans with blooms.
Cooked and raw Broad Windsor Fava Beans on a blue and white marbled background.
Broad Windsor Fava Bean recipe in a bowl surrounded by beans,
A close-up of five Broad Windsor Fava Beans on dark blue background.
Broad Windsor Fava Beans arranged with flowers and foliage on a white background.
A close-up macro detail of Broad Windsor Fava Beans with blooms.
Broad Windsor Fava Beans cookie recipe arranged on a wooden board surrounded by beans.
A close-up view of Broad Windsor Fava Beans with blooms.
Cooked and raw Broad Windsor Fava Beans on a blue and white marbled background.
Broad Windsor Fava Bean recipe in a bowl surrounded by beans,
A close-up of five Broad Windsor Fava Beans on dark blue background.

Fava Bean Seeds,
Broad Windsor

4.315 ReviewsSKU: #FB101Min. seed count: 15
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Description

(Vicia faba). Fava beans, particularly the 'Broad Windsor' variety, are an old English favorite. This bean yields gourmet, high-protein beans on upright non-branching plants. The beans are large, and their mild flavor pairs perfectly with spices and herbs.

Growing Tips: These beans thrive in cool weather and are ideal for planting in spring or fall. They prefer well-drained loamy soil and need full sun to partial shade. Ensure soil pH is between 6.2 and 6.8 for optimal growth. Use stakes or trellises to support taller plants, which can reach heights of 2 to 6 feet​​.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Vicia faba
Life Cycle
Annual
Growth Habit
Bush
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
7–14
Days to Maturity
75
Planting Depth
1–2 in.
Plant Spacing
6 in.
Ideal Temperature
60–70°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

When to Grow

Broad Windsor beans can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in spring or in fall in regions with mild winters. They are a cool-season, frost-hardy crop, taking hard frost and short spells down to about 20 F once established. In areas with mild winters, they may be planted in fall. The ideal temperature for growing is 60-70 F. If you're not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

How to Sow and Plant

Directly sow seeds 2 to 4 inches deep and about 8 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart. If starting indoors, transplant seedlings after 2 weeks. Ensure good soil moisture but avoid waterlogging. Watering is crucial during flowering and pod formation stages. Planting in raised beds is also effective​. Sprouts appear in 7 to 14 days.

How to Grow

Broad Windsor fava beans are hardy and can withstand light frost. They need regular watering, particularly when setting pods, and should be kept moist but not soggy. Prune the tops of plants when they begin to flower to encourage bushier growth and reduce pest issues. Fertilization is generally unnecessary as the beans fix nitrogen in the soil, but compost can be beneficial in nutrient-poor soils​.

How to Save Seeds

  • Broad Windsor is a self-pollinating annual legume that sometimes is insect pollinated. If you are growing more than one variety be sure to isolate different varieties by 500 feet to prevent accidental insect-caused cross pollination.
  • Save seeds from at least 10 different plants to ensure genetic strength.
  • Allow seed pods to brown and dry on the plant.
  • If rain is expected, you can harvest nearly dried pods and finish the process in a dry, bright location out of the rain.
  • Release beans from pods and make sure they are fully dry and cannot be dented with a fingernail.
  • Store seeds in a cool, dark, dry place.

FAQ

Do Broad Windsor fava beans need support?

Yes, taller varieties benefit from stakes or trellises to prevent flopping.

Can Broad Windsor fava beans tolerate frost?

Yes. They are frost hardy, taking hard frost and short spells down to about 20 F once established, which is why they can be fall sown where winters are mild.

How often should I water Broad Windsor fava beans?

Provide about an inch of water per week, increasing during flowering and pod formation.

Browse our full range of fava and broad bean seeds.

Customer reviews

4.3 / 5 15 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Reliable germination: Near-complete germination, even from old seed.

  • Cool-season crop: Sow in fall or late winter; summer heat ends the harvest.

  • Tall plants need support: Stalks reach five feet or more; stake or cage them.

  • Worth the shelling: Rich flavor fresh or dried; pick young to skip peeling.

  • Heads up: Slow to pod, and a hard freeze can kill young plants.

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