Fava beans have been used for thousands of years in Middle Eastern cuisine. Nowadays, chefs and home cooks are embracing the delicious and nutritious fava microgreens. Fava microgreens provide you with a delicious nutty flavor, along with an amazing crunch that is delicious in salads, sandwiches, soups, and more.
Fava bean microgreens are loaded with fiber, along with a plethora of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, iron, potassium, and magnesium. Incorporating fava microgreens in your diet will also provide you with the nutrients your body needs to improve health.
Our quick view table provides you with the pertinent information needed to grow fava microgreens. Fava greens are a simple microgreen crop that delivers you a fast, bountiful harvest.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Fava microgreens have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | Fava bean microgreen seeds should be presoaked for a period of 12 to 24 hours. |
| Color | Fava microgreens have light green stems with bold green leaves. |
| Germination Time | Fava microgreen seeds take 3 to 4 days to germinate. |
| Harvest Time | The harvest time for fava microgreens ranges between 12 and 15 days. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 4 – Fava microgreens are one of the most advanced microgreens to grow. Their slow germination and growth times can be frustrating for beginners. |
Fava bean microgreens are delicious and offer a number of health benefits. Growers love these crunchy, nutty-flavored microgreens.
Microgreen growers often have questions concerning particular microgreens. We have gathered the top questions commonly asked by microgreen gardeners.
No. Just like other types of microgreens, fava microgreens will not regrow after harvesting. Any regrowth that occurs will be stunted.
Fava microgreens will be ready to harvest approximately 2 weeks after your microgreens have germinated.
Fava microgreens have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor with a delicate crunch. Pair this delightful microgreen with microgreens with a slightly bitter flavor like kale, quinoa, or broccoli.
Fava microgreens offer numerous health benefits the high protein and dietary fiber in fava microgreens may help improve heart health, reduce the risk of cancer, improve digestion, and lower cholesterol levels.
For each 10 inch by 20 inch growing tray, you will need approximately 9 ounces of fava microgreen seeds.
Growing fava microgreens requires several pieces of equipment. Although there are several different methods that can be used to grow fava bean microgreens, the method described below has been shown to consistently produce great results. You can either choose a starter kit or purchase individual pieces of equipment.
A microgreen starter kit contains the essential pieces of equipment that you need to grow fava microgreens. In this fava microgreen starter kit, you will receive microgreen growing trays, a microgreen growing medium, a misting bottle, an assortment of seeds, and more.
If you prefer, you can buy each piece of equipment individually. Most pieces are mandatory; however, there are a few optional pieces that can help you reap a healthier, bigger, and easier harvest.
Fava microgreens should be soaked for 12 to 24 hours. Soaking microgreens helps to improve and speed up the germination rate of microgreen seeds. A pint mason jar with a screw-top lid allows you to easily soak and drain your microgreen seeds.
There is a large variety of growing mediums that can be used for growing fava microgreens. The top two growing mediums are coconut coir and seed starting soil. Our personal favorite is coconut coir.
Coconut coir is a soilless growing medium. It is made using the husks of a coconut, making it an eco-friendly option. Coconut coir holds a lot of water; however, it will not cause root rot and other soilborne illness the way other growing mediums may.
Seed starting soil is a type of fine-grained potting soil that has added nutrients to help with the growth and development of plants. Because microgreens are harvested so early, the added nutrients are not needed.
You will need a total of three growing trays for fava bean microgreens. The most popular size tray for microgreens is the 10 inch by 20 inch tray. Purchase one tray with drainage holes and two trays without drainage holes.
The growing tray with drainage holes allows the growing medium to draw water up so the roots can be watered without disturbing the microgreens or increasing the risk of mold and mildew.
The two trays without drainage holes serve two different purposes. One will be used as a blackout dome during the germination process. The other tray will hold the tray with drainage holes, allowing for bottom watering.
You will also need a misting bottle or watering can for watering your microgreens after they have germinated. This misting bottle can be as simple or complex as you want.
A grow light is used once your seeds have germinated. The grow light is placed directly over your microgreens to help ensure your microgreens grow straight and evenly.
The ideal soil temperature for germination is 75° F. Most homes are not kept this warm. A heating mat helps to warm the soil to the perfect temperature for germination.
If you are limited on space, a planting rack can help you utilize the vertical area of your home. When shopping for a planter's rack, look for multiple shelves that are adjustable. Wire racks will help make cleanup a breeze.
A circulation fan helps circulate the air around your fava microgreens, which helps to reduce the risk of mold and other soilborne diseases that can affect your microgreens. Place these clip-on fans so they blow horizontally across the tops of your microgreens.
Organic Fava Microgreen Seeds – Mountain Valley Seed Company's organic sprouting seeds are heirloom seeds that are perfect for microgreens. The seeds are much smaller and easier to sprout than other fava bean seeds.
If this is your first tray of microgreens or you have been growing microgreens for years, our step-by-step growing guide will help you successfully grow large crops of fava microgreens. Each step is detailed from planting all the way through harvesting and beyond.
The first thing you must do is prepare your fava microgreen growing trays for planting. Grab your growing medium and fill your growing tray with drainage holes right below the top lip, making sure the growing medium extends to the very edge. Then, press down lightly with your hands or a piece of cardboard to lightly compress the growing medium.
After you have filled your tray with growing medium, you will need to thoroughly saturate your growing medium. This can be done by filling your sink with about an inch of water and placing your growing tray into the water. Leave the tray in the water for at least 30 minutes so the growing medium can dray the water upward.
If you prefer to use a misting bottle, spray ten sprays evenly across the growing tray. Allow the water to soak in for 15 minutes and respray. Repeat the process three to four times to ensure the growing medium is thoroughly saturated.
Once you have filled your grow trays and saturated the growing medium, it is time to plant your fava microgreen seeds. For each microgreen tray, you will need approximately nine ounces of seeds.
Begin by placing the growing tray with drainage holes inside a growing tray with no holes. This setup will allow you to easily water your microgreens during the growing process.
Spread the seeds evenly across the prepared growing medium. and then cover lightly with a thin layer of growing medium. Then, with your misting bottle, spray the newly added soil until it is damp, approximately 5 to 7 sprays.
Seeds germinate when they are sown deep in the earth. The seeds you plant in growing trays are no different. They must have darkness and pressure to germinate.
Once you have planted your seeds, you must create the darkness and pressure using an inverted growing tray with no holes and a weight. Take your third growing tray with no holes and invert it on top of your newly sown seeds. This inverted tray will block out light so your seeds can properly germinate.
Next, place a weight, a heavy book, or stone on top of the inverted tray. This weight will help the roots of your fava microgreens to grow downward and become strong.
Once you have weighed down the inverted tray, place your microgreen tray on top of your grow mat. Set the grow mat temperature to 75° F to encourage germination. Leave the microgreens alone for 3 to 4 days.
Check the soil moisture level daily during the germination period. If the soil begins to dry out, spray a few sprays across the entire surface of the tray. Then replace the inverted tray and weigh the tray back down.
Once at least 90 percent of your microgreens have germinated, it is time to remove the weight and inverted tray. Remove the tray, set it aside, and place your microgreens under your full spectrum LED grow lights.
The lights should be placed approximately 12 inches from the top of your grow tray. This distance will ensure that your microgreens receive an ample amount of light for photosynthesis and growth. You will keep
Once you have turned on the grow lights, you should turn off the heating mats and turn on your circulation fans. Circulation fans are designed to increase airflow in and around your microgreen trays.
For best results, attach the fans to one end of the planter's rack so that it blows horizontally across the microgreens. You want the airflow to hit the top of the microgreens without blowing across the growing medium. If the fans blow across the growing medium, it will cause the medium to dry out quickly.
Typically, it takes about two weeks for fava microgreens to reach optimal harvest size. Beginning on day 10, snip a small amount of fava microgreens and taste them. Microgreen texture and flavor can change significantly in a short amount of time.
When the microgreens reach their optimal flavor, stop watering for at least 12 hours before harvesting. Withholding watering reduces the amount of water in the stems of the microgreen. Furthermore, withholding water increases the amount of time your microgreens will remain fresh after harvesting.
Once you determine it is time to harvest your fava microgreens, it is time to gather the supplies for harvesting. You will need a pair of sharp scissors or a sharp knife and a few paper towels.
Gather the microgreens loosely in one hand and cut the microgreens approximately a ¼ inch from the soil level. As you cut your microgreens, lay them on your paper towels.
If you are going to eat your microgreens immediately, plunge the microgreens in a bowl of cool, not cold water. Swirl the microgreens around to remove any dirt or sediment. Then, place the freshly washed microgreens on a few clean, dry paper towels and allow them to air dry.
If you will be storing your fava microgreens, it is imperative that you do not expose the microgreens to any moisture. Instead, once they are harvested, immediately loosely wrap them in a clean paper towel and place them in an airtight storage container or storage bag.
Place the freshly harvested and packaged microgreens in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator. Your fava microgreens will last approximately one week when properly stored and placed in a refrigerator.
Fava microgreens are filled with essential nutrients that support immunity, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of cancer. The juicy, nutty flavor of these crisp microgreens pairs great with a variety of bitter microgreens like kale, broccoli, and endive.
Fava microgreens can be added at the end of the cooking cycles of soups and stews. The microgreens can stand up to heavy salad dressing, be added to your sandwiches, and can add a touch of umami to all of your dishes.
