Crop Rotation Group
Legumes (Pea and Bean family)
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Soil
Any average, well drained soil.
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Position
Full sun.
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Frost tolerant
A cool-season annual, winter field beans can tolerate frost but are killed by temperatures below 10to 15F (-12 to -9C). In the US, they are rated as hardy to Zone 8.
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Feeding
When using winter field beans to improve very poor soil, mixing a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting will give better results.
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Companions
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Spacing
Single Plants: 9" (25cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 7" (20cm) with 1' 3" (40cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Poke holes in prepared seedbed and plant seeds 2 inches (5 cm) deep. Winter field beans may be planted in late summer, or in very early spring.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Primarily grown to increase soil nitrogen. Easier to turn under using hand tools compared to other cover crops. Small-seeded varieties are best for cover crop use.
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Harvesting
For maximum nitrogen gain, chop plants down and turn them under as soon as they begin to bloom. You also can pull up the plants and compost them.
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Troubleshooting
Winter field beans attract numerous beneficial insects. Do not grow them just before potatoes or other root crops, because field beans can host rootknot nematodes.
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