Leidse Hanger

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweetly fragrant and richly green at first glance, Leidse Hanger fava beans develop into plump pods that hold tender, velvety kernels with a mellow, garden-fresh sweetness.

The texture is creamy and substantial—ideal for spooning from the pod and savoring at peak tenderness, or for turning into smooth, fragrant spreads and hearty purées. Grow this classic 80-day favorite for a bountiful harvest that feels as generous as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 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	Jul 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
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

Leidse Hanger favas are sweet and plush, the kind that taste better the moment they’re tender—overcooking turns that creaminess grainy. They’re built for butter/olive oil finishing and lemony brightness, plus rich-salty partners like parmesan or prosciutto.

Best Uses

shelled and lightly sautéed with butter until just tender
quick-tender spooning with flaky salt and olive oil
purée into a smooth, herb-scented spread or mash
fold into soups and stews for a silky legume body

Flavor Profile

mellow garden-fresh sweetness creamy, velvety kernels lightly fragrant, spring-green notes

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil butter lemon juice fresh mint parmesan prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Vicia faba (fava/Leidse Hanger beans), and what should I do if I see it?

Watch for black bean aphids and chocolate-brown fungal spots (often showing as dark lesions on leaves). Hose aphids off with a strong spray and encourage ladybugs, then remove badly spotted leaves to improve airflow and reduce spread. If conditions stay wet and lesions expand, use a labeled fungicide for beans and avoid overhead watering.

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

Keep soil consistently moist during flowering and pod set—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 soakings if it’s hot or windy. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries out, but don’t keep the bed soggy because fava roots are prone to rot in waterlogged soil.

How can I tell when Leidse Hanger (Vicia faba) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are well-filled but still tender and green (typically around 80 days). Snap a pod—if the beans inside are swollen and the pods pierce easily with a fingernail, pick promptly; if pods look fibrous or beans are hard, they’ve passed peak tenderness.