You may have heard that a light meter is an incredibly helpful tool to keep your houseplants happy or to assist you in attaining indoor gardening excellence – almost like a magic wand!But these tools come with a variety of features and are availa
12.06.2023 - 01:07 / gardenerspath.com / Kristina HicksHamblin
7 of the Best Types of Fava BeansFavas are a cool-season crop that produces a harvest of tasty, meaty beans – and they make excellent companion plants!
Since there are different kinds of favas available, it can be helpful to know how these various options will work in the garden.
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Vicia faba, the botanical name for this species, is one of the oldest agricultural crops around. There are three named varieties within the species, as well as various cultivars of each type.
Get to know these options so you can choose the ones that are best suited to the length of your growing season as well as your local growing conditions.
Ready to find the fava of your dreams? Keep reading!
Before we get started, if you need a review of the best techniques for growing this legume, be sure to read our complete guide to growing and caring for fava beans.
This species is frequently subdivided into three main types. Let’s have a look at what makes them different from each other.
The large, flat-seeded type you may be most familiar with is classified as V. faba var.major.
Commonly called “broad beans,” their large seeds come in an array of colors depending on the variety, including white, tan, brown, green, or purple. These are usually about an inch in length and look similar to limas.
Another type of fava, classified as V. faba var.equina, is commonly known as the “horse bean.” These got their moniker from their use as a livestock forage, particularly for our equine friends, horses.
Seeds are medium-sized, rounded, and dimpled, and are usually brown to olive green in color. These are sometimes called “baby favas” and are a popular option for
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