Winter Field Beans Growing Guide

Vicia faba

Crop Rotation Group

Legumes (Pea and Bean family) ●

Soil

Any average, well drained soil.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

A cool-season annual, winter field beans can tolerate frost but are killed by temperatures below 10to 15F (-12 to -9C). In the US, they are rated as hardy to Zone 8.

Feeding

When using winter field beans to improve very poor soil, mixing a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting will give better results.

Spacing

Single Plants: 9" (25cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 7" (20cm) with 1' 3" (40cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Poke holes in prepared seedbed and plant seeds 2 inches (5 cm) deep. Winter field beans may be planted in late summer, or in very early spring.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Primarily grown to increase soil nitrogen. Easier to turn under using hand tools compared to other cover crops. Small-seeded varieties are best for cover crop use.

Harvesting

For maximum nitrogen gain, chop plants down and turn them under as soon as they begin to bloom. You also can pull up the plants and compost them.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Winter Field Beans

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail