Vicia faba 'Dwarf Green Longpod'

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweetly fragrant and richly green, Vicia faba ‘Dwarf Green Longpod’ forms compact plants that bear long, elegant pods with a tender, meaty snap.

Inside, the beans develop into smooth, deep-green seeds with a creamy bite and a gentle, sweet-forward flavor that shines in fresh spring plates and hearty favorites alike. Grow this dwarf performer for a manageable garden footprint and a steady harvest that invites you to savor each pod at its peak.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Vicia faba 'Dwarf Green Longpod'

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 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
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

This dwarf fava is built for the short window when the pods are tender and the beans still taste sweet rather than starchy—cook them fast so they keep that meaty snap and creamy interior. Use bright acid (lemon) and a fat (butter or cheese) to carry the green, floral notes without flattening them.

Best Uses

pod-to-pan quick sauté with butter and lemon zest
blanch-and-shock fava as a topping for crostini or yogurt bowls
stir into spring risotto near the end for creamy pearls
blend into a smooth puree for pasta sauce or thick dip (think hummus-adjacent)

Flavor Profile

sweet-forward snap creamy, tender bean bite green, lightly floral fragrance savory, “meaty” legume texture

Kitchen Pairings

lemon butter basil parmesan mint prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Vicia faba (fava bean), and how can I manage it at home?

Fava beans are commonly hit by chocolate spot (Alternaria/Stemphylium), which shows as dark brown to purplish spots on leaves and pods. Remove heavily affected leaves early, avoid wetting foliage when you water, and improve airflow by thinning plants if they’re crowded. If pressure is high, use a labeled fungicide for beans and repeat according to the label interval.

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

During pod set and while plants are actively flowering and filling pods (roughly the middle of the 85-day season), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply about once or twice per week depending on rainfall, aiming for consistently damp soil to a few inches down. If you let the soil dry out for long stretches at flowering, fava beans are more likely to drop flowers and form fewer pods.

How do I know when Vicia faba ‘Dwarf Green Longpod’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are well-filled but still tender—typically around 85 days from sowing—so the beans inside feel firm yet not hard. Pods should be bright green and make a clean snap if you bend one gently. For best eating quality, pick every couple of days during the harvest window to prevent beans from becoming too mature and tough.