Anyone grow Fava Beans?

[ChristinaJo]

I live in NE Texas. When can I start my fav as for the fall? Thanks

[Labradors2]

Interesting stuff Gorbelly!

I pulled my fava's yesterday and we had enough beans for a yummy meal. I was pretty happy with my half a row. I left the roots in the garden to add their nutrients, and put the greens in the composter.

I really need the earliest possible beans here. As it was, they were competing with peas as our main veggie and we haven't eaten the Swiss Chard in ages. Soon the beans will be ready I hope!

Linda

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by ChristinaJo

I live in NE Texas. When can I start my fav as for the fall? Thanks

I dont know about Fava Beans but I cant get one bean to set fruit in this heat.
Between the heat and rabbits I gave up and stopped watering the things.

Worth

[Shrinkrap]

Originally Posted by ChristinaJo

I live in NE Texas. When can I start my fav as for the fall? Thanks

Do you know your "Sunset" zone? We have some things in common with parts of Texas here, but our nighttime highs aren't warm as early. I start with the fall rains, but it's largely about the free water. They are setting fruit in February and March, and usually gone by May.

[ChristinaJo]

My zone is 8a/b

[Shrinkrap]

Originally Posted by ChristinaJo

My zone is 8a/b

I'm wondering if that is a Sunset (vs USDA) zone. Sunset addresses way more than first/ last freeze date stuff, which is not all that relevant for me.

http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate...te-zones-texas

If that is your Sunset zone, then that is pretty close to mine, and I would go with November.

Here is a description of Sunset 8 ( not aware of "a"and "b".)

ZONE 8. Cold-air Basins of California's Central Valley
Growing season: mid-Feb. through Nov. This is a valley floor with no maritime influence. Summers are hot; winter lows range from 29 degrees to 13 degrees F/-2 degrees to -11 degrees C. Rain comes in the cooler months, covering just the early part of the growing season.

Mine is sometimes

ZONE 9. Thermal Belts of California's Central Valley
Growing season: late Feb. through Dec. Zone 9 is located in the higher elevations around Zone 8, but its summers are just as hot; its winter lows are slightly higher (temperatures range from 28 degrees to 18 degrees F/-2 degrees to -8 degrees C). Rainfall pattern is the same as in Zone 8.

But usually

ZONE 14. Inland Northern and Central California with Some Ocean Influence
Growing season: early Mar. to mid-Nov., with rain coming in the remaining months. Periodic intrusions of marine air temper summer heat and winter cold (lows run from 26 degrees to 16 degrees F/-3 degrees to -9 degrees C). Mediterranean-climate plants are at home here.

[ChristinaJo]

Ok. Correction. My sunset number is 33

[Lasairfion]

Just a reminder.

Monty Don said in Ep. 30 of Gardener's World (aired 20th Oct) that now is the time to plant early varieties of Broad Beans, such as Aquadulce in order to get an early harvest next spring.

He recommends sowing in pots due to being prone to attack from mice and the bad weather, and storing them in a sheltered but unheated area until the soil is ready for planting out next February or March.

[ChristinaJo]

Thank you