Vicia faba 'Giant Green'

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, lush pods of Vicia faba ‘Giant Green’ unfurl with a bold, fresh snap—bright green and generously filled for a truly satisfying harvest.

The seeds are large and creamy-textured, offering rich, mellow flavor that shines in fresh shelling and also performs beautifully when roasted for caramelized depth. Grow ‘Giant Green’ for dependable midsummer production and big, impressive pods that make every planting feel like a celebration of abundance.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Vicia faba 'Giant Green'

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	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These giant, creamy-fleshed beans are at their best when treated like something special—steam or sauté just until tender, so they keep that sweet snap before they turn silky. When roasted, their mellow sweetness browns fast, making them ideal for lemony, buttery finishing and herb-forward plates.

Best Uses

fresh shelling for blister-fast sauté or quick steam-and-peel comfort
roasting until browned at the edges for a caramelized bean snack and salad topper
folding into lemony purées or rough mash for creamy, spoonable sides
tossing with salty cheese and olive oil while still warm for maximum creaminess

Flavor Profile

sweet, beany sweetness with a clean fresh snap large, creamy-tender interior with a mellow, almost nutty finish gentle vegetal sweetness that roasts into caramelized edges

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil garlic parmesan butter mint

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease issue for Vicia faba (fava beans) and how do I manage it?

Fava beans commonly get rust (brown-orange pustules) and chocolate spot (dark lesions on leaves). Remove and discard infected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and avoid wetting foliage when watering. If rust or spots spread, apply a labeled fungicide for beans at the first signs, and stop overhead watering to break the cycle.

How often should I water Vicia faba during the main growing phase (pod fill)?

During active growth and especially as pods develop, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for evenly damp soil 2–3 inches down. Water about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and rainfall, increasing frequency during dry spells so pods don’t stall or abort. In heavy soils, reduce watering to prevent root stress from standing moisture.

How can I tell when Vicia faba ‘Giant Green’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully filled and beans inside feel plump but still tender, typically around 85 days from sowing. Use the “snap” test: a mature pod should snap easily and the beans should be glossy rather than matte and hard. If you wait until beans are hard and the pods look dry, you’ll shift from fresh beans to dry-kernel use.