The Vegetable You Should Be Planting In September For Healthy Soil Next Spring

In September, many of us are cleaning up the garden, removing dead plants, and gathering the last of the summer harvest. It's true that it's not as common to have a fall garden, and that's truly a shame, because September is the perfect time to plant one crop that benefits both your fall and spring garden: fava beans (Vicia faba). Unlike some other crops that prefer warmer weather, the fava bean thrives in cooler fall conditions, making it an ideal choice for an autumn cover crop.

Fava beans are legumes, which means they work with beneficial soil bacteria to capture nitrogen from the air and store it in their root nodules. This naturally enriches the soil (called nitrogen fixing), setting the stage for a healthy spring garden. That's exactly why you'll want to plant these beans in your garden for healthier soil. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, using fava beans as a cover crop utilizes Mother Nature's own strategy to support future crops without any additional amendments. Think of it like nitrogen banking.

Beyond their soil-enhancing properties, fava beans build lots of organic matter as they grow. When the tops are chopped off and turned into the garden at the end of the growing season, this organic matter continues to benefit the soil. Planting favas in September can help rejuvenate a garden bed that has been depleted by summer crops. Fava beans are more than just a winter vegetable — they are the superhero of the fall garden.

Besides fixing nitrogen into your garden soil for your spring plants to take advantage of, fava beans are also, of course, a veggie you can harvest and eat. They can be used in all kinds of tasty dishes and canned for use throughout the winter. They are very nutritious — high in iron, folate, fiber, and protein.

Fava beans also have another benefit as a cover crop: They help suppress weeds. When it comes to choosing between a ground cover vs. a cover crop for keeping out weeds, fava beans demonstrate why cover crops are often more beneficial. They not only protect your garden bed from unwanted plants but actively improve nutrient content. Also, if you are considering a full fall garden, they pair well with other crops. Great companion vegetables for a thriving fall garden include cabbage, mustard greens, or kale. These pairings ensure that all plants benefit from the nitrogen the fava beans contribute. 

Using fava beans as a fall cover crop will improve your soil's resiliency in the long run. Simply plant each seed 1 to 2 inches deep, 3 to 5 inches apart. Once the seedlings appear, thin them to one plant per square foot to create a cover crop. The plants should mature in up to five months. Planting fava beans in September will give your garden a much-needed boost that will last well beyond fall, setting up your garden for higher yields and stronger growth next year.