San Luis Bean is a fava bean variety with roots in the high desert of Colorado, collected from a farmer in the small town of San Luis in 1995 and now preserved through Native Seeds/SEARCH. The plants produce plump seeds with pale green and tan coloring, offering reliable productivity even in challenging growing conditions. Hardy in zones 6 through 9 and frost-tolerant, it thrives in moderate moisture and slightly acidic to neutral soil. This variety germinates best between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, making it well suited to cool-season planting in most regions.
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Moderate
6-9
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Moderate
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San Luis Bean carries the story of a Colorado farming tradition, rescued from a local grower and now maintained as part of a regional seed collection. The pale green and tan seeds are notably plump and productive, delivering consistent harvests even when grown in the dry climate of the Southwest. Its frost tolerance means gardeners can plant earlier in spring or extend harvests into cooler months, giving this heirloom practical advantages alongside its cultural value.
Fava beans are typically shelled and cooked as a fresh spring vegetable, boiled and eaten warm with olive oil and salt, or dried for winter storage and use in soups and stews. The tender young pods can also be eaten whole when harvested early. This variety's productivity makes it well suited to larger harvests for both fresh eating and preservation.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as soil is workable, or in fall in mild climates. Plant in cool weather when soil and air temperatures are between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for best germination.
Harvest fava bean pods when they are full and the seeds inside feel plump to the touch, typically in late spring. The pods should still be bright green and snap readily when bent. For dried beans, allow the entire plant to mature and pods to brown on the vine before harvesting.
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“This fava bean variety traces back to the San Luis Valley, one of Colorado's most historic agricultural regions. Native Seeds/SEARCH collected seeds directly from a local farmer in 1995, preserving a variety that had been grown in this community for generations. The seeds now reside in their Seed Bank Collection, where they continue to be grown out and maintained in Tucson's winter conditions. By documenting and saving this variety, the organization has ensured that a piece of Colorado's agricultural heritage remains available to home gardeners and seed savers.”