They are the same variety- actually they are from seed from the supermarket bulk bin so i dont know which variety. No aphids. During heavy thunderstorms last year water would wash in here from under the neighbors fence, so there could be some herbicide residue from that I guess. Hopefully they grow out of it. I'm from NZ, which is probably why I still call them broadbeans sometimes. thanks

I've only grown favas as a summer crop, and in a different climate from yours. So what I can tell you is of limited value. However, from the reading I've done, I agree that an October/November planting time seems right for overwintering. Next spring, you can be our resident expert on that. :-) Jim

"Fava Beans and Levadopa Fava beans contain levadopa, the same chemical in prescription drugs used to treat ParkinsonÂs disease. The young plants and beans seem to contain the highest concentration of levadopa. Some medical studies have shown that eating fava beans can help control the symptoms of ParkinsonÂs; in fact, some studies find that the effects of fava levadopa last longer than the prescription variety. There may be "helping" chemicals in the bean that act synergistically with the levadopa. However, there are some caveats involved with the substitution of fava beans for levadopa: Â The concentration of levadopa in fava beans is unpredictable. Â Some people have an allergic reaction to raw fava beans. Â MAOI medications plus levadopa can equal fatal high blood pressure. Â If a person has undiagnosed favism, they may suffer kidney failure from eating fava beans. Many people with ParkinsonÂs can benefit from eating fava beans; however, it should be discussed with a doctor first (Holden). Other Some people display intestinal insult after ingesting raw fava beans, which is an indication of an allergy. Logically, this sensitized group should avoid the uncooked beans.

Does anyone have a small quantity of red-flowering broad bean seed to spare? I've tried Diggers Club but they are out of stock. Please e-mail me direct. Will do SSAE or I have a large variety of vegetable (including other broad beans) and flower seeds for trade. Thanks, Rosewater.