Comments on: Fava Bean Cover Crops in Seattle http://www.gardenhelp.org/food/fava-bean-cover-crops-in-seattle/ A Free Service of Garden Mentors Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:14:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: rhaglund http://www.gardenhelp.org/food/fava-bean-cover-crops-in-seattle/#comment-8412 rhaglund Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:37:49 +0000 http://www.gardenhelp.org/?p=358#comment-8412 Ah yes. I heard it was like 75 last weekend down there (Sunnyvale report). The favas I grow as a cover crop don't produce tasty beans. I have tried them, but I wasn't impressed. Given the weather you're having, I'd definitely try another seeding. Just soak the seeds at least overnight to get them going a little faster. Ah yes. I heard it was like 75 last weekend down there (Sunnyvale report).

The favas I grow as a cover crop don’t produce tasty beans. I have tried them, but I wasn’t impressed.

Given the weather you’re having, I’d definitely try another seeding. Just soak the seeds at least overnight to get them going a little faster.

]]> By: Katy http://www.gardenhelp.org/food/fava-bean-cover-crops-in-seattle/#comment-8400 Katy Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:38:22 +0000 http://www.gardenhelp.org/?p=358#comment-8400 I'm actually in the bay area, which is having crazy weather too. I'm not too concerned about the nuisance of the seeds spreading, these guys are pretty easy to control. Maybe I will try planting another set now, just in case. Another question - I bought these as a cover crop. Do you know if the cover crop cultivars are still tasty? It'd be great to be able to eat them. I’m actually in the bay area, which is having crazy weather too. I’m not too concerned about the nuisance of the seeds spreading, these guys are pretty easy to control. Maybe I will try planting another set now, just in case. Another question - I bought these as a cover crop. Do you know if the cover crop cultivars are still tasty? It’d be great to be able to eat them.

]]> By: rhaglund http://www.gardenhelp.org/food/fava-bean-cover-crops-in-seattle/#comment-8397 rhaglund Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:27:21 +0000 http://www.gardenhelp.org/?p=358#comment-8397 We are having a strange autumn aren't we? (Okay, I'm guessing you're in Seattle). Here's what I understand...if you let them flower and produce seed they should still fix nitrogen. I've pulled out green beans that are done for the season and they still have nitrogen fixing nodules on the roots. The reason you want to get them out before they go to seed is so you don't end up with weedy seedy fava beans everywhere, or at least that's what I understand. Now, if they flower and start trying to set seed now they may be more vulnerable to freezes when they come. But, do you have time to reseed right now? Its a tough call. I've put in cover crops late in the fall germination season and had luck. So, maybe soak a few of your remaining seeds overnight to soften them. And then plant another batch just in case this round doesn't make it. So many plants think its spring with our warm fall weather right now! We are having a strange autumn aren’t we? (Okay, I’m guessing you’re in Seattle). Here’s what I understand…if you let them flower and produce seed they should still fix nitrogen. I’ve pulled out green beans that are done for the season and they still have nitrogen fixing nodules on the roots. The reason you want to get them out before they go to seed is so you don’t end up with weedy seedy fava beans everywhere, or at least that’s what I understand.

Now, if they flower and start trying to set seed now they may be more vulnerable to freezes when they come. But, do you have time to reseed right now? Its a tough call. I’ve put in cover crops late in the fall germination season and had luck. So, maybe soak a few of your remaining seeds overnight to soften them. And then plant another batch just in case this round doesn’t make it.

So many plants think its spring with our warm fall weather right now!

]]> By: Katy http://www.gardenhelp.org/food/fava-bean-cover-crops-in-seattle/#comment-8395 Katy Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.gardenhelp.org/?p=358#comment-8395 Hi, I have a cover crop of favas planted in one of my beds, in hopes of both fixing nitrogen and protecting the soil from the winter weather. But, the beans are about 2ft tall and starting to flower. I'd like to keep them in the bed all winter, but if I let them produce, will they still fix nitrogen? I've read that it's important to turn them under before they produce beans - is that true? Thanks in advance! Hi,
I have a cover crop of favas planted in one of my beds, in hopes of both fixing nitrogen and protecting the soil from the winter weather. But, the beans are about 2ft tall and starting to flower. I’d like to keep them in the bed all winter, but if I let them produce, will they still fix nitrogen? I’ve read that it’s important to turn them under before they produce beans - is that true?

Thanks in advance!

]]> By: Grrr…Squirrels, Crows and Cats http://www.gardenhelp.org/food/fava-bean-cover-crops-in-seattle/#comment-7610 Grrr…Squirrels, Crows and Cats Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:56:33 +0000 http://www.gardenhelp.org/?p=358#comment-7610 [...] out to grab a few sprigs from the garden. Along the way I noticed destruction in my newly cleared, just-yesterday-fava-bean planted, needs-a-lota-love raised bed in front. Some critter has harvested many, if not all, of my fava [...] [...] out to grab a few sprigs from the garden. Along the way I noticed destruction in my newly cleared, just-yesterday-fava-bean planted, needs-a-lota-love raised bed in front. Some critter has harvested many, if not all, of my fava [...]

]]> By: Nitrogen Fixing Root Nodules http://www.gardenhelp.org/food/fava-bean-cover-crops-in-seattle/#comment-7604 Nitrogen Fixing Root Nodules Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:11:42 +0000 http://www.gardenhelp.org/?p=358#comment-7604 [...] Contact | Garden Mentors Fava Bean Cover Crops in Seattle [...] [...] Contact | Garden Mentors Fava Bean Cover Crops in Seattle [...]

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