Vicia faba 'Sutton Dwarf'

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, creamy pods arrive in just 55 days, their tender interiors promising a lush, garden-fresh bite with a subtly nutty depth.

‘Sutton Dwarf’ forms compact plants that bear abundant, upright pods—smooth-skinned and pleasantly meaty—ideal for savoring at peak tenderness. Grow it for early, reliable harvests and for making rich, velvety bean-forward dishes, from spoonable purées to bright, spoon-ready salads and quick pickling-style preserves.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Vicia faba 'Sutton Dwarf'

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	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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

‘Sutton Dwarf’ is bred for early, tender pods—when the beans are young, they go from sweet snap to creamy melt fast, so don’t overcook them. Use the beans where you want that spoonable, velvety texture: purées, thick soups, or warm salads dressed at the last second with lemon and olive oil.

Best Uses

quick shucking and eating straight—barely cooked for a spoonable bite
purée base for velvety bean soups and thick potage
tossed into warm salads where the beans hold their structure
quick pickling-style preserves to keep the snap of green sweetness

Flavor Profile

sweet, creamy bean-sap sweetness subtly nutty, green-pea like depth tender, meaty interiors with a velvety melt

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil butter parmesan fresh mint

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Vicia faba (fava beans) and how do I control it at home?

Watch for chocolate-brown to black spots and blotches on leaves caused by faba bean rust (Uromyces spp.), which spreads quickly in humid weather. Remove and discard heavily infected leaves, then improve airflow with wider spacing and avoid overhead watering. If you’re seeing active rust repeatedly, use a labeled garden fungicide that targets rust on beans and reapply as directed, especially after damp periods.

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

During flowering and early pod fill (roughly weeks 4–8), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 waterings. Check moisture 2–3 inches down; if it’s dry at that depth, water thoroughly, and if it stays wet or soggy, pause watering to prevent root and stem issues. Mulching helps stabilize moisture so pods form evenly.

How can I tell when Vicia faba 'Sutton Dwarf' is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are well-filled but still tender: press a pod gently—seeds inside should feel plump and the pod walls should be green and not tough. For garden shelling, pick at about 55 days from sowing when pods are glossy and seeds have reached their final size. If you wait until pods look dull or the seeds harden, quality drops and beans become starchy.