Negreta

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweetly fragrant at first touch, Negreta fava beans develop a lush, creamy interior with a gentle, green-sweet flavor and a tender, velvety bite.

Pods mature to a satisfying heft, holding plump seeds that steam up with a buttery softness—ideal for fresh enjoyment when young, and equally beloved for spoonable purées and hearty spreads. Grow Negreta for a garden-to-table harvest that feels abundant, lush, and unmistakably rewarding at about 90 days.

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

Negreta leans into that classic fava payoff—creamy inside with a tender, velvety chew—so it doesn’t need much beyond salt, olive oil, and something bright. Use it young for that soft, buttery steam, or puree it for a spoonable texture that clings to bread and thickens soups without going starchy.

Best Uses

steam-and-salt pods/seeds for a spoonable side
quick-cook puree for whipped spreads and crostini
stir through olive-oil pasta with black pepper
fold into hearty bean soups for silky body

Flavor Profile

gentle green-sweet flavor creamy, buttery interior tender, velvety bite with pleasant heft lightly fragrant when freshly shelled

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil lemon garlic fresh mint parmesan bacon or pancetta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Vicia faba (fava/noble beans), and how can I prevent it?

Black bean aphids and chocolate-brown spots from fungal leaf disease (often worsened by damp foliage) are common on Vicia faba. Scout weekly and spray aphid colonies with a strong jet of water, then follow with insecticidal soap if needed. For disease, water at the soil line, avoid wetting leaves, and space plants so air can move through the canopy—remove heavily spotted leaves early.

How often should I water Vicia faba during peak growth, and what soil moisture target should I aim for?

During flowering through pod fill (typically the main growth stretch toward the ~90-day mark), keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top 1 inch of soil dries out, usually about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and soil type, and aim for deep moisture to reach the root zone. Mulch lightly after plants establish to steady moisture and reduce stress.

How do I tell when Vicia faba is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully filled and still tender—about 90 days from sowing for ‘Noble’-type fava, though check earlier during warm seasons. Pick pods when the seeds inside are visibly plump but not hard and dry; if you can press a seed and it dents easily, it’s ready. For the best flavor, harvest in the cooler part of the day and use soon after picking.