DESCRIPTION: This is a large group of hardy perennials and annuals. These plants are not ornamental, therefore, none are really grown in gardens. Most Vicias have thin stems covered with pinnate leaves terminated by a pair of tendrils. Clusters of small, pea shaped flowers grow in the axils of the leaves. V. argentea has silvery leaves. Vicia belongs to the Pea family, Leguminosae. V. Faba is the Broad or Fava Bean. Broad bean plants grow upright, up to 5 feet, on thick, succulent stems. The pods have a white fuzzy lining in which the edible seeds are embedded and their length may vary from 6 to 12 inches. These Beans need about 70 days of cool weather to produce large bushes with many pods. Regions with short springs are hard on Broad beans because summer's heat arrives when the vines are only half grown.
POTTING: Fava beans should be planted in soil that is rich and deeply prepared. They should be planted 8 to 10 inches apart, in rows, 3 to 4 feet apart. Provide support as soon as the seeds germinate so that they don't flop or blow over as they grow. Mulch seedlings with pine needles or straw to reduce frost damage. When the beans are half grown, you can eat the whole pod, cooked like snap beans. Shell older pods and mix seeds with cut up pods. Some people are allergic to the mature seeds of Broad beans; if you've never eaten them before, start with only a few seeds.
PROPAGATION: In most parts of the U.S., seeds should be sown in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. In California, plant them after the fall rains have started.
VARIETIES: V. faba - Broad beans are often sold simply under the descriptive names "large-seeded" or "small-seeded". Aquadulce and Ipro are two early-maturing types.