Growing Fava Greens Eating The Tops Of Broad Beans

Most growers of fava beans probably never even thought about eating the tops of broad bean plants, but it turns out that, yes, broad bean leaves (aka: greens) are, indeed, edible. The wonders of fava beans!

What's eating my broad bean plants?
Can you eat the shell of fava beans?
What is eating my fava beans?
Why are fava beans toxic?
Will squirrels eat broad beans?
Why are my broad beans being eaten?
Are fava beans dangerous?
Can you eat the skin of a broad bean?
Can fava beans kill you?
How many broad beans does one plant produce?
What insects eat broad beans?
What happens if you eat raw broad beans?

What's eating my broad bean plants?

What is pea and bean weevil? Pea and bean weevils are beetles that eat the leaf margins and shoot tips of garden peas and broad bean, causing characteristic notch-like damage. ...
Symptoms. The adult weevils are greyish brown and are 4-5mm long. ...
Control. ...
Biology.

Can you eat the shell of fava beans?

When fresh favas are very young, they can be eaten whole, pod and all. Small fava beans also do not need their outer coat peeled and can even be eaten raw.

What is eating my fava beans?

Aphids are a pest of fava beans, and ants “farm” aphids to eat the sweet honeydew the aphids produce. If you have aphids, they are destructive pests that need to be managed.

Why are fava beans toxic?

Fava beans can be very toxic to some people who have a disease called favism. It is a food intolerance to beans produced by a genetic disorder. Because of lack of an enzyme, certain components of faba beans can not be decomposed . They are toxic and cause breakage of the blood cells.

Will squirrels eat broad beans?

Big seeds such as broad beans, squash and sweetcorn are their favourite spring treats. Grey squirrels also love to eat bulbs, though they often forget them, which is why you find them stashed elsewhere.

Why are my broad beans being eaten?

This year seems to be a bad year for pea and bean weevil infestations. The adult weevil damages plants by eating notches out of the edge of the leaves. The larvae also cause damage by feeding on the roots.

Are fava beans dangerous?

But fava beans can cause hemolytic anemia — an abnormal breakdown of red blood cells — in people with an enzyme deficiency called Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. The dangerous reaction, known as Favism after the bean, typically occurs in people of Mediterranean, Southeast Asian, or African descent.

Can you eat the skin of a broad bean?

The skin of broad beans is edible. However, especially in larger beans, the skin is often tough and bitter. Double-podding broad beans can be therapeutic, however, it is a time-consuming task.

Can fava beans kill you?

As it stands, favism has given rise to myths such as that string beans are dangerous or that raw fava beans are dangerous for everyone. In truth, both raw and cooked fava beans are dangerous for people susceptible to their toxins, while neither is dangerous for those without.

How many broad beans does one plant produce?

The amount of pods (each pod contains 8 to 10 beans) per plant is very variable depending on the variety but around 15 to 20 pods is a an average amount. When your broad beans have finished cropping they can be dug up and placed on the compost heap.

What insects eat broad beans?

Blackfly feed on soft plant growth. They're commonly found feeding in large numbers on the soft shoot tips of broad bean plants.

What happens if you eat raw broad beans?

Broad beans are good sources of protein, fibre, vitamins A and C, potassium and iron. ... Warning: Raw broad beans should be avoided by people with the rare hereditary condition known as G6PD, for whom ingestion can cause 'favism', a type of anaemia which is sometimes fatal.