Ianto's Return

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweetly fragrant pods with a gentle, green snap—then inside, Ianto’s Return reveals plump broad beans of a creamy, buttery tone.

The texture is tender and substantial, with a mild, naturally nutty flavor that shines in hearty preparations and also tastes wonderfully fresh when young. Grow this 100-day favorite for reliable yields of substantial pods that feel satisfying to harvest and make a beautiful addition to your garden’s edible landscape.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Ianto's Return

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	Aug 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
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

These broad beans earn their spot for that inside-the-pod creaminess plus a still-substantial bite—nothing watery, nothing mushy. Use them early and they taste like sweet, fresh nuts; cook them down and they become velvety enough for purée without losing structure.

Best Uses

quick-boil and salt—then pop beans out for a warm, spoonable side with butter
pan-fry blanched beans with garlic and olive oil for a glossy, lightly caramelized edge
toss into springy salads with lemon and shaved aged cheese
fold into thick soups or purées where the beans can go creamy without turning grainy

Flavor Profile

gentle, mild nuttiness sweetly green snap turning creamy inside tender, substantial bite that stays pleasant buttery, legume sweetness with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon garlic olive oil parmesan smoked bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease or pest problem for Vicia faba (fava/Ianto’s Return), and how do I control it?

Black bean aphids and chocolate-brown spots from fungal disease are among the most common fava issues, especially in cool, humid weather and dense plantings. Start by spraying a strong jet of water to knock aphids off, then remove heavily affected leaves and improve airflow by thinning to proper spacing. If disease is spreading, avoid wetting foliage, water at the base, and discard infected plant material rather than composting it.

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

During pod set and seed fill (roughly after plants establish through mid-season), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch of water per week total from rain and irrigation. Water deeply whenever the top 1–2 inches of soil start to dry, then let it soak in before watering again. If the soil stays soggy, fava roots suffer and plants become more vulnerable to fungal problems.

How can I tell when Ianto’s Return (Vicia faba) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully filled and look firm, and the seeds inside are visibly swollen but not hard and dry. For green/young beans, pick pods earlier when they still feel tender and the inner seeds are bright and smooth; for shelling dry beans, wait until pods have dried down and turned leathery. In the typical ~100-day window, check every few days once pods begin to mature so you don’t miss the peak tenderness.