Soil
Any average, well drained soil.
Position
Full sun.
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.
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.
Companions
Wheat, Rye and Oats.
Spacing
Single Plants: 9″ (25cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 7″ (20cm) with 1′ 3″ (40cm) row gap (minimum)
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.
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.
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.
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.
