To maximize the nitrogen-fixing capabilities of your fava bean crop, seeds should be inoculated before planting.
inch deep. Space your plants in rows 12 to 18 inches apart to give them room to breathe; fava beans can grow quite bushy.
Once they reach 6 inches in height, add 2 to 3 inches of straw (or another organic mulch) around the plants, being careful not to pile the mulch against the stems (which could lead to rotting).
Fava beans are tall, thin, and top-heavy plants that require minimal staking as they mature so they don’t flop over under their own weight.
They’re well suited for those conical wire tomato cages that, ironically, don’t do a super job of supporting indeterminate tomato plants. But they’re fantastic for fava beans!