How to Grow Fava Beans from seeds in Containers

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

Fava beans or Broad beans is a flowering plant that belongs to the bean family Fabaceae. Fava beans are legumes, and they help fix nitrogen in the soil. So, It is also grown as a cover crop. Broad beans contain high levels of essential nutrients and minerals like Manganese, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Iron. Here is how to grow Fava beans in your garden.

Growing Conditions for fava beans

Fava beans are grown during the Spring and summer seasons. The germination temperature is 20°C to 30 °C (68°F – 86°F). It can grow in any type of soil that is fertile and well-drained.

How to grow fava beans from seeds in containers

• Take a container that is 12 inches deep and has proper drainage holes. Fill it with a potting mix that contains 20 % garden soil, 20 % coarse sand and 60 % compost.
• Sow two to three seeds and cover them with a thin layer of soil. The seeds should be sown 2 inch deep and there should be at least 6 inch gap between two seeds. Gently water the soil. You can also soak the seeds for 8 hours before you sow them.
• You can see the seeds sprouting between 3 to 7 days. Place the container in a location that receives 8 to 10 hours of sunlight every day. Make sure you water when the soil is dry but at the same time avoid overwatering.
• You can add compost once in 3 weeks.
• It can take about 80 to 100 days to harvest fava beans. You can collect a few dried pods and store them so that you can use them the next time.

Pests and Diseases

Aphids can attack your broad beans and the best way to get rid of them is by using neem spray or diatomaceous earth. Aphids can be persistent pests, you can also use beneficial insects to get rid of them.