Early Purple

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweetly perfumed pods arrive early with a tender, velvety snap—Early Purple gifts you beans that mature in a rich, violet-tinged hue before settling into a creamy interior.

The flavor is distinctly mild and buttery, with a pleasantly firm, succulent texture that shines in fresh, lightly cooked preparations and also holds its own in hearty purées and savory spreads. Grow Early Purple for a quick, satisfying harvest window and a garden-to-plate experience defined by early tenderness and elegant color.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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

Early Purple favas are built for “tender fast”: the beans snap before they turn chalky, then go creamy without falling apart. Their mild, lightly perfumed sweetness loves bright acid and pepper—finish with lemon and you’ll taste the butteriness instead of the bean.

Best Uses

steam and salt the fresh beans for a quick pods-to-plate side
lightly pan-cook with olive oil and garlic so they stay succulent, not starchy
blend into a silky purée or dip (think roughmash then smooth out)
fold into savory spreads where they add creaminess and a clean, grassy finish

Flavor Profile

mild, buttery sweetness tender, velvety snap slightly perfumed, green-bean aroma creamy interior that holds shape

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil garlic lemon juice black pepper basil Parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat chocolate spot on Vicia faba (broad/early purple beans)?

Chocolate spot (brown-to-black lesions on leaves and pods) is common in humid weather and can spread quickly in dense plantings. Remove and destroy infected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and thin to improve airflow. If it’s actively spreading, use an approved copper-based fungicide per label directions and reapply as directed during wet spells.

How often should I water Vicia faba during the main growing phase (flowering to pod fill)?

During flowering and pod fill, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split as needed for your conditions. Water deeply whenever the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil dries out, because drought at this stage can cause flowers to drop and reduce pod size. Use mulch to steady moisture and prevent stress swings.

When are Vicia faba (early purple beans) ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are well-filled but still tender, typically around 60 days from sowing (check plants earlier if growing conditions are warm). For fresh shelling, pick when pods feel full and the beans are smooth and about the size you can comfortably bite through; for baby beans, harvest slightly earlier when pods are smaller. Don’t wait until pods turn tough or beans look overly mature, or quality declines.