Today’s video is an ode to a crop that I have recently fallen in love with because of how cheap the seeds are, how easy it is to grow, and how tasty it is! I hope this alternative to a popular kitchen garden crop is something you consider growing – it is at least worth being on your radar!
Study comparing yields of the two types: https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/what-we-do/citizen-science-and-research/members-experiments/growing-field-beans-for-human-consumption
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26 Comments
When I was a child seventy years ago there were fields of these beans we were told they are not nice for people to eat!
Are field beans a bush or pole variety?
Any thoughts on Lupin or Lupini beans? I don't see/hear much about them in the UK but they are great as a cover crop, apparently very good at revitalising soils between yields when in rotation.
hi is someone can tell me what is the vernacullar name for field beans because when i try to translate in french it say field beans = broad beans…… or better the name in french^^ thanks a lot!
Will definitely be giving these a try! 😊
Seems one issue is that many stores don't differentiate between broad beans and field beans. If I understand this right, black, pinto, fava, and kidney beans are all field beans?
What are field beans? If I Google them it comes up with broad beans
Interesting insight to the Field Beans. They are grown here as winter cover crop, but they winter kill once the temp drops to 10Fº or below. As a winter cover crop they do an excellent job of bringing nitrogen into the soil, and then keeping the soil covered throughout the winter with the decomposing winter killed plants. Never thought of growing them in the summer as a food source, but might have to re-think that after watching this video.
Some clarification: Field beans and broad beans are the same species (Vicia faba) but different varieties. Field beans most commonly sold as a cover crop. One variety of field bean is Vespa, apparently grown for culinary use but I found no difference in taste to the cheap green manure seeds I bought and grew on to produce beans! 😉
Food for thought.
I have never seen beans (seed or pod) like this before? Or even broad beans. When I ask about the broad beans, am told they are lima beans? Is this right? Am in northeastern U.S.A.
My field beans turned up late last year due to germination tests failing at my suppliers, I eventually got them and planted them, surprise surpise they never came up as it was too late and I thought thats it. The recent warm weather however and they have sprung into life and started growing, so surprised they got through the icy period last December, and germinated in January…Steve…🙂
I grew fava beans one time and it was the only thing in my garden covered in aphids. Same problem with these?
Do you open the green pods and just use the brand inside? Meaning: not use like a green bean and include the pod ?
As a kid, I recall that instead of black eyed peas, my Dad grew what they called field peas. They looked very much the same and, as far as I could tell, tasted no different at all.
Can we keep some of the harvest for seeds?
Huw, do you think field beans could be a good source of food for chickens?
Fava beans can be dangerous. (beans in general, but a few types, more than others)
Digestion issues and even favism.
There is a reason some foods are not as popular as they used to be.
Be safe and learn.
Not completely Hardy the -10C in December flattened my earliest sowing tho later ones survived. But its just a cover crop for me.
thanks huw you answered my question i was about to ask i bought some field beans they said for green manure i want them to eat
Those pinched-out plant tops are lovely nutty flavoured greens, just lightly steamed.
Just as a 'note to self' Huw, internationally the seed producers and distributors do watch your videos, as well as others in your genera and making notes of recommendations forcefully made which means that the cost to ordinary humans of field beans have, or shortly will, being going up. Just sayin'.
Where is the best place to buy the field bean seeds from? xx
How do you eat them? I’ve never heard of either to be honest
Thank you for great information on your videos. I can not find any here in the U.S. The cover crops are mostly field peas, clover and some fava beans, winter rye,,bummer. Can you please sell me some thru your website?
Yes, I need to grow this. I did plant some in the fall but not sure if it survived yet. zone 7a here.