Robin Hood

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, meadow-green pods with a poised, velvety sheen arrive at harvest in a steady rhythm—Robin Hood broad beans are prized for their tender, buttery interiors and gentle, nutty sweetness.

The pods hold their shape with a satisfying firmness, while the beans inside develop a smooth, creamy texture that shines in classic broad-bean preparations. Grow Robin Hood for a long, rewarding season of lush foliage and beautifully filled pods that invite you to savor the first taste of spring.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Bush

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 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
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

Robin Hood broad beans hit that sweet spot where the pods stay pleasantly firm and the inside turns smooth and buttery with minimal cooking. Use them hot—blanched, buttered, and brightened with lemon—so that gentle, nutty sweetness stays front and center rather than turning bean-dull.

Best Uses

quick-blanch-and-pop with a brief squeeze of lemon to keep them sweet
fold into a warm butter-and-herb pasta sauce so they stay creamy, not chalky
toss into spring salads where they can stand up to vinaigrette without going mushy
make a classic broad-bean purée for crostini—silky texture, easy spoonability

Flavor Profile

gentle nutty sweetness tender, buttery interior creamy when cooked light vegetal/meadow-green freshness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon butter olive oil mint parmesan prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a common pest or disease on Vicia faba (fava/Windsor bean) and how do I control it?

Chocolate-brown leaf spots and blighting are common fungal problems on fava beans, especially in cool, humid weather. Remove and discard infected leaves, improve airflow by thinning if plants are crowded, and water at the soil line instead of wetting foliage. If you keep getting new spots, use a labeled fungicide appropriate for beans at the first sign of symptoms and follow label timing closely.

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

During vegetative growth and especially before flowering, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Once plants are in flower and setting pods, water more consistently (often 1–1.5 inches/week) because drought stress can cause poor pod set and smaller pods. Check moisture 2–3 inches down; if it’s dry at that depth, water thoroughly.

How can I tell when Vicia faba ‘Robin Hood’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are firm and well-filled, with seeds that look plump through the pod but before the pods become tough or the seeds start to look overly hard. For best quality, pick every 2–3 days during the peak harvest window to avoid pods over-maturing. Expect roughly 70 days from sowing to first harvest under typical conditions.