Broad Windsor is a time-honored heirloom fava bean treasured for its large, buttery beans, upright sturdy plants, and reliable cool-season performance. One of the most popular traditional fava varieties, it produces thick pods packed with plump seeds that are perfect for fresh eating, sautéing, pureeing, drying, and long-term storage.
If you want an early, productive crop that thrives in cool weather and enriches your soil at the same time, Broad Windsor Fava Beans are an outstanding addition to your spring or fall garden.
Why Grow Broad Windsor Fava Beans?
🌱 Cool-season performer – Thrives in early spring and fall
🫘 Large, plump beans – Excellent flavor and texture
🌿 Tall, sturdy plants – Upright growth with strong stems
🧺 Heavy pod production – Generous harvests
🥗 Protein-rich and nutritious
🌎 Excellent nitrogen fixer – Improves soil fertility
🌿 Certified organic heirloom seed
A favorite for traditional gardens, permaculture systems, and gardeners seeking early-season productivity.
Plant Characteristics
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Botanical Name: Vicia faba
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Variety: ‘Broad Windsor’
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Plant Type: Cool-season annual legume
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Growth Habit: Upright, 3–4 feet tall
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Days to Harvest (Fresh Beans): 75–85 days
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Pod Size: 6–8 inches long
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Beans Per Pod: Typically 4–6 large seeds
Unlike common beans, favas tolerate chilly conditions and can be planted much earlier.
Growing Instructions
Planting Time
Sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring, or plant in fall in mild winter climates.
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Soil Temperature: 40–65°F
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Planting Depth: 1–2 inches
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Spacing: 6 inches apart
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Row Spacing: 18–24 inches
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Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
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Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile
Fava beans tolerate light frost and prefer cool weather. In hot climates, grow as a winter crop.
Support
While sturdy, taller plants may benefit from light staking in windy areas.
Harvesting Options
For Fresh Shell Beans
✔ Harvest when pods are full and bright green
✔ Shell and cook immediately for best flavor
For Tender Whole Pods
✔ Pick young pods early for a more delicate preparation
For Dry Beans
✔ Allow pods to mature and dry on the plant
✔ Harvest when pods turn black and brittle
✔ Shell and dry seeds thoroughly before storage
Culinary Uses
Broad Windsor Fava Beans are versatile and nutrient-dense:
🥘 Sautéed with olive oil and garlic
🥗 Tossed into salads
🥣 Mashed into spreads or dips
🍲 Added to soups and stews
🫘 Dried for winter cooking
For tender texture, remove the outer skin from mature beans after blanching.
Soil & Garden Benefits
Fava beans are exceptional soil builders. Their deep roots and nitrogen-fixing ability improve soil structure and fertility, making them an excellent cover crop as well as a food crop.
Great companions:
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Leafy greens
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Brassicas
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Root vegetables
Avoid planting near onions or garlic.
After harvest, cut plants at soil level and leave roots in place to decompose and release nitrogen.
Ideal For
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Early spring gardens
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Fall and winter planting (mild climates)
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Organic growers
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Homesteads
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Permaculture systems
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Gardeners seeking protein-rich crops
Broad Windsor is especially valuable for extending the growing season before warm-weather crops are ready.
Organic Heirloom Quality
Our Broad Windsor Fava Bean seeds are:
🌱 Organically grown
🌿 Open-pollinated heirloom
🌎 Non-GMO
🧺 Selected for strong germination and vigor
Grow a productive, cool-season heirloom that feeds your family and nourishes your soil. Broad Windsor Fava Beans are a timeless choice for abundant spring harvests and sustainable gardening.