How to Grow Fava Bean 'Red Epicure'
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Fava Bean 'Red Epicure'
Vicia faba 'Red Epicure'
vegetable'Red Epicure' is a distinctive fava bean variety featuring deep burgundy pods and seeds with striking red coloration. This cool-season legume produces tall plants with attractive flowers and nutrient-rich beans ideal for fresh eating and cooking. The variety combines ornamental appeal with excellent culinary quality.
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Example Fava Bean 'Red Epicure' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Fava Bean 'Red Epicure'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Fava Bean 'Red Epicure'
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Fava Bean 'Red Epicure' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler climates for spring or fall crops
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds germinate in 7-10 days, emerging as thick green shoots with cotyledons. Young plants develop characteristic compound leaves.
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing. Protect from slugs and cutworms.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants grow tall (24-36 inches), developing bushy foliage and sturdy stems. Leaves are compound and bright green.
Support tall varieties with stakes or trellising. Side-dress with balanced fertilizer or compost. Monitor for aphids.
Flowering
2-3 weeksDistinctive white flowers with black or dark markings appear in clusters along the stems. 'Red Epicure' variety flowers are particularly ornamental.
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage bean set. Continue consistent watering. Reduce frequency to prevent pod drop.
Pod Development
3-4 weeksFlowers give way to elongated, burgundy-red pods that develop rapidly. Pods reach 4-6 inches in length.
Watch for spider mites and aphids in warm conditions. Ensure adequate water during pod fill.
Harvest-Ready
Variable; harvest over 2-3 weeksPods mature to deep burgundy color; seeds inside develop to full size with characteristic red coloring. Pods may rattle slightly when shaken.
Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Check pods for maturity—beans should fill the pod but not burst through.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; use reflective mulch
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Increase humidity with misting; spray with water stream; apply neem oil for severe infestations
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and
Hand-pick; lay copper tape barriers; use beer traps; apply neem-based slug bait
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Remove and destroy infested pods; rotate crops; use row covers during flowering
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Remove affected leaves; apply spinosad spray; use reflective mulches
Uses
Fresh Fava Bean Dishes
Culinary'Red Epicure' produces beautifully colored beans ideal for salads, pasta dishes, and Mediterranean cuisine. The distinctive red color adds visual appeal to cooked dishes while providing mild, nutty flavor. [source]
Dried Bean Storage
CulinaryMature dry beans store exceptionally well for 6+ months when properly cured and stored, providing a valuable winter protein source with attractive burgundy coloring. [source]
Nutritional and Health Benefits
MedicinalFava beans are rich in protein, fiber, folate, and polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. Studies suggest fava bean consumption supports cardiovascular health and blood sugar regulation. [source]
Nitrogen Fixation and Soil Amendment
HouseholdAs a nitrogen-fixing legume, 'Red Epicure' improves soil fertility naturally, making it an excellent cover crop or garden rotation plant that reduces fertilizer requirements for subsequent crops. [source]
Ornamental Garden Appeal
Craft'Red Epicure' combines productive capacity with striking visual aesthetics—burgundy pods and attractive flowering make it suitable for decorative edible gardens and cut flower arrangements. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest pods when they are firm and well-filled but before they become woody, typically 70-90 days after planting. For fresh eating, harvest younger pods (3-4 inches) when beans are tender. For dry storage, allow pods to mature fully and turn brown before harvesting. Pick regularly to encourage continuous production. Pods are ready when burgundy-red and beans inside are plump. Morning harvest yields the most tender beans.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Fava beans have been cultivated for over 8,000 years, dating back to ancient civilizations in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions, making them one of humanity's oldest cultivated crops.
- 🌱 'Red Epicure' and other red fava varieties owe their striking color to high levels of anthocyanins and polyphenols—the same beneficial compounds found in red wine and blueberries.
- 🌱 A small percentage of people with a genetic condition (G6PD deficiency) experience a reaction called 'favism' when consuming raw or undercooked fava beans; cooking the beans thoroughly eliminates this risk.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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