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What is a broad bean?

Last Updated: January 08, 2008

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This information is specific to Texas and may or may not be specific to your area.

Broad beans (Vicia faba), also called fava beans, horse beans, and Windsor beans, are not true beans. They are closely related to vetch and will grow in cool weather unsuited for green snap beans. Varieties commonly grown include Broad Windsor and Long Pod. They can be planted very early in the spring in all areas of Texas. In central and southern Texas, they can be planted in the fall for spring harvest. In most areas of Texas they will not produce in the heat of summer. The commonly grown varieties require from 85 to 120 days from seeding to harvest.

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