Zone 5 · Beans & Peas Growing Guide

When to Plant Broad Beans / Fava
in Zone 5

The cold-hardiest legume. In mild-winter zones, plant in fall for a spring harvest — the seeds overwinter in the ground. Rich, buttery flavour unlike any other bean.

Plant outdoors
Mar 15 – Apr 15
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~Apr 15
Days to harvest
80–100 days
Difficulty
Easy
Growing — Zone 5
Harvest window: Jun – Jul

Planting Calendar

In Zone 5, Broad Beans / Fava should be planted outdoors Mar 15 – Apr 15, after the average last frost date of approximately Apr 15.

Direct sow as early as March. Pinch out growing tips when first pods form — reduces aphid pressure.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade · 4–8 hrs/day
Watering
Regular
Spacing
6–9 inches
Soil
Well-draining, fertile, slightly alkaline
Days to maturity
80–100 days
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
plant tip · Zone 5

Direct sow as early as March. Pinch out growing tips when first pods form — reduces aphid pressure.

Feeding Schedule

How often
none needed
Feed type
none
Key timing
n/a

Legume that fixes its own nitrogen. No feeding required — they actually improve soil for following crops.

Companion Planting for Broad Beans / Fava

What you plant next to broad beans / fava makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Brassicas
  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Corn
Keep away from
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Leeks

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Common questions

In Zone 5, direct sow broad beans / fava outdoors Mar 15 – Apr 15 after your last frost date of approximately Apr 15. Direct sow as early as March. Pinch out growing tips when first pods form — reduces aphid pressure.
Zone 5 has an average last spring frost of approximately Apr 15 and a first fall frost around Oct 15. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for broad beans / fava include Brassicas, Carrots, Potatoes, Corn. Avoid planting near Onions, Garlic, Leeks, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Broad Beans / Fava typically takes 80–100 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 5. Expected harvest window: Jun – Jul.

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Broad Beans / Fava in other zones
Crop Guides