Crown Prince

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, creamy pods with a velvety snap—Crown Prince broad beans bring a lush, garden-fresh richness that feels almost buttery on the palate.

At maturity, the beans fill the pod with plump, tender texture and a gently nutty flavor, ideal for turning into comforting favorites and showcasing their natural sweetness. Grow Crown Prince for reliable, satisfying harvests from a sturdy, upright plant that makes every picking feel abundant.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jul 17th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Crown Prince broad beans have that luxuriously creamy bite—snap at first, then a soft, buttery texture—so they don’t need heavy handling to taste sweet. Use them warm and simple (butter/lemon or olive oil/garlic) so the nutty flavor stays bright rather than getting muddied by starches.

Best Uses

quick-boil and toss with butter and lemon for pods-to-beans eating
pan sauté with olive oil and garlic, then finish with flaky salt
purée into a thick, spoonable mash for crostini
fold into warm pasta with parmesan and black pepper

Flavor Profile

sweet, creamy snap gently nutty, fresh-from-the-garden flavor velvety, almost buttery mouthfeel tender pods/beans with a soft finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon olive oil garlic parmesan mint

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease problem for Vicia faba (fava/Crown Prince beans), and how do I treat it?

A frequent issue is rust (fungal pustules on leaves) in cool-to-mild, damp weather. Remove and discard heavily infected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and avoid wetting foliage when watering. If rust keeps spreading, use a copper-based fungicide labeled for edible beans and apply according to the label every 7–10 days during active weather.

How often should I water Vicia faba during the main growing phase?

During pod set and the run-up to harvest, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for evenly damp soil about 1 inch (2–3 cm) down. In most gardens this means watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing frequency during hot or windy spells. If leaves look droopy and the top few centimeters are dry, water immediately, and if soil stays soggy or smells anaerobic, reduce watering and improve drainage.

How can I tell when Crown Prince fava (Vicia faba) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully filled but still tender: the beans inside should be sized and look smooth rather than hard and bulging. For best eating quality, pick pods a little before the seeds fully harden—often around 90 days from sowing, depending on weather. If you press a bean lightly through the pod, it should feel firm-tender; if it’s hard like dried beans, it’s past prime for fresh eating.