Sweet Lorane is a cool-season fava bean that thrives on minimal water and matures in about 230 days from direct seeding. This variety prefers full sun and well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, making it adaptable to many garden conditions. Sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, or in fall (September-October) in zones 6 and above for an overwintered crop that matures in mid to late May. Space seeds 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart for a productive harvest.
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Sweet Lorane fava beans are remarkably low-maintenance once established, requiring minimal supplemental water and thriving in cool-season gardens when other vegetables struggle. The extended growing season of 230 days rewards patient gardeners with a substantial harvest, especially when fall-sown for spring maturity. These beans germinate readily in cool soil between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, making them one of the earliest crops to plant in spring or among the last to sow in autumn.
Fava beans are harvested at maturity as dried beans for storage and cooking. The mature pods can be threshed to extract the beans, which are then used in soups, stews, and traditional bean dishes. Their high protein content and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil also make them valuable as a cover crop and soil-building green manure.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplanting fava beans is generally discouraged due to their delicate root systems, which are easily damaged during the transplanting process. If you must transplant, do so very gently when seedlings are small and handle with extreme care to avoid disturbing the roots.
Direct sow fava bean seeds in spring as soon as soil can be worked. In zones 6 and above, you can also sow in September or October for an overwintered crop that matures in mid to late May. One ounce of seed plants 4 to 10 row feet. Sow seeds at a depth of approximately 1 to 1.5 inches.
Fava beans are harvested when pods are fully mature and dry on the plant. Allow the pods to dry completely in the field if weather permits; if weather is wet or unreliable, pull the entire plant and lay it on a tarp indoors to dry, turning the pile daily for even drying. When the plant material is brittle dry, thresh the beans by placing the dried material in a bag and swinging it against a hard surface, or beat it with a stick or rake on a tarp. The beans are ready to store once they are completely dry.
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