When to plant fava beans in Bend and Redmond, OR

Plant fava beans from seed, directly in the garden in Bend and Redmond, Apr 28 – Jun 2.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Bend and Redmond's typical last spring frost is June 9. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 6 inches apart
Planting depth: 1 to 2 inches deep
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 85 days after planting

Step by step

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Apr 28 – Jun 2, 1 to 2 inches deep, 6 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Harvest: Pick pods when they bulge with beans but are still green. Shell the beans and slip off the pale skins for the sweetest flavor.

Varieties that do well here

Broad Windsor
Aquadulce Claudia (for fall sowing)
Vroma

Watch out for

Black aphids gather on the growing tips in late spring. Pinch off the tips once pods start forming.

Unlike other beans, favas love cool weather. West of the Cascades they can also be sown in October to overwinter for an early crop.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Bend and Redmond, OR?

Typically June 9. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 26. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Redmond Roberts Field.

Is it too late to plant fava beans in Bend and Redmond?

The spring planting window runs through June 2. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can harvest fava beans?

About 85 days after planting. Pick pods when they bulge with beans but are still green. Shell the beans and slip off the pale skins for the sweetest flavor.

Also plant in Bend and Redmond around the same time

Planting dates for fava beans in nearby areas

Klamath Falls, OR Apr 28 – Jun 2
Burns, OR Apr 30 – Jun 4
Baker City, OR Apr 20 – May 25

Full planting calendar for Bend and Redmond · Fava beans in every city