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Shelled fava beans close up
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When to plant fava beans in Hood River, OR

Plant fava beans from seed, directly in the garden in Hood River, Mar 20 – Apr 24.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

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

Why these dates

Hood River's typical last spring frost is April 20. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

How to grow fava beans in Hood River

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Mar 20 – Apr 24, 1 to 2 inches deep, 6 inches apart.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. 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.

Key numbers

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

A bean that likes cool weather

Unlike common beans, favas sprout in cool soil and grow best in mild weather, which suits Northwest springs perfectly. Sow as soon as the soil can be worked in late winter or early spring. Hot weather makes them stop flowering, so early sowing is the key to a good crop.

West of the Cascades, you can also sow hardy varieties like Aquadulce Claudia in October. They grow a little, sit through winter and take off early, giving the earliest harvest. In cold eastern areas, stick to spring sowing.

Soil and feeding

Favas aren't fussy. Any reasonably drained soil works, and like other beans they fix their own nitrogen, so skip the fertilizer. They're also grown as a cover crop for this reason: chopping the plants into the soil before they set seed adds organic matter and nitrogen.

Tall varieties can flop in wind and heavy rain. A string run along each side of the row, tied to stakes, keeps them upright.

Aphids and chocolate spot

Black bean aphids crowd onto the soft growing tips in late spring. Pinching off the top few inches once the lowest pods form removes most of them and pushes the plant's energy into the pods. The tips are tasty cooked like spinach.

Chocolate spot is a fungus that causes small brown spots on leaves during long wet spells. It's rarely serious on well-spaced plants in sun. Give rows room for airflow and don't crowd fall plantings.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Hood River, OR?

Typically April 20. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 9. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Hood River.

Is it too late to plant fava beans in Hood River?

The spring planting window runs through April 24. 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.

Can you plant fava beans in the fall?

Yes, west of the Cascades. Sow hardy types like Aquadulce Claudia in October for an early harvest the next spring. Very cold snaps can still damage them, so east of the mountains spring sowing is safer.

Do I have to peel fava beans?

Young, small beans can be eaten with their skins. Larger beans have a tough pale skin, so blanch them for a minute, cool them, and pinch the bright green bean out. It's extra work but makes them much sweeter.

Are fava beans safe for everyone?

Most people eat them without trouble. People with an inherited condition called G6PD deficiency can have a serious reaction to eating favas, and sometimes even to the pollen. If you or your family have that condition, skip this crop.

Also plant in Hood River around the same time

Planting dates for fava beans in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Hood River · Fava beans in every city