Variety Info.: Botanical Name: Vicia faba Days to Maturity: 30–60 days Family: Fabaceae Native: Unknown Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual Plant Dimensions: 30″ tall, bushy shape; taller when grown in mild climates. Variety Information: ‘Sweet Lorane Improved’ is a small-seeded fava and a cold-tolerant cover crop for very early spring or fall sowing; excellent nitrogen fixer. White flowers with black centers provide much sought-after spring nectar for beneficial insects. Fava bean roots work to break up the soil. Because fava beans can germinate in temperatures as low as 35°F, they have the potential to be grown and incorporated before spring planting. Exposure: Full sun Sowing Info.: When to Sow Outside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date for spring crop. For a fall crop, sow 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. In mild climates, may overwinter; cold hardy as low as 20°F. When to Start Inside: Not recommended. Days to Emerge: 8–15 days Seed Depth: 3″ Seed Spacing: 2–4 seeds per square foot Thinning: Not required
