When to plant fava beans in Mount Vernon and Burlington, WA

Plant fava beans from seed, directly in the garden in Mount Vernon and Burlington, Mar 1 – Apr 5.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Mount Vernon and Burlington's typical last spring frost is March 24. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 1.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

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 Mar 1 – Apr 5, 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 Mount Vernon and Burlington, WA?

Typically March 24. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 14. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Mount Vernon.

Is it too late to plant fava beans in Mount Vernon and Burlington?

The spring planting window runs through April 5. 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 Mount Vernon and Burlington around the same time

Planting dates for fava beans in nearby areas

Bellingham, WA Mar 1 – Apr 5
Anacortes, WA Mar 1 – Apr 5
Oak Harbor and Whidbey Island, WA Mar 1 – Apr 5
Friday Harbor and the San Juans, WA Mar 1 – Apr 5
Portland, OR Mar 1 – Apr 5
Gresham, OR Mar 1 – Apr 5

Full planting calendar for Mount Vernon and Burlington · Fava beans in every city