Landrace Growing and Seed Evolution

Landraces offer food security through their ability to adapt to changing conditions.

At the very core of Landrace Gardening/Growing is the saving of #seeds. Here is a great statement on Landrace Gardening from Joseph Lofthouse in his seminal book “Landrace Gardening”. "Landrace Gardening"..."A locally-adapted, genetically-diverse, promiscuously-pollinating food crop. Landraces are intimately connected to the land, ecosystem, farmer and community. Landraces offer food security through their ability to adapt to changing conditions."

In 2023 we decided to use two of our Urban Permaculture Farm Gardens here in Eugene, OR to evolve Landrace growing. In the photograph below, we have yesterday's bean harvest, with beans planted in close proximity. At the top are Scarlet Runner beans, to the left, the large white beans are Greek Elephant beans, the beans at the right were beans we never planted, we think they evolved in a cross from Scarlet Runners and Greek Elephant. The beans in the centre of the photo were planted as Madeira Maroon, those smaller beans under the larger harvest, yesterday. The beans we harvested and looking similar are larger and the yellow speckles are now white. All of this is quite fascinating to watch.

Realizing this could be controversial but not for that reason, we have partnered with Open AI’s GPT4o to delve deeply into seed characteristics, growing needs, history etc. As an example of the benefits of this, someone kindly donated a very rare Fava Bean which had been grown and seeds saved in the Middle East. We had scoured the Internet and had not been able to find information on these beans, however using GPT4o we found this information.

“Fava Bean, Foul Mudammas (also spelled Ful Medames, Foul Mudammas, or Foul Mudama) is a variety of fava bean (Vicia faba), commonly used in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine. Fava beans are valued for their high protein content, rich flavor, and adaptability in various climates. The Foul Mudammas variety is traditionally used to prepare a dish of the same name, a popular breakfast and street food across the region.

Here’s a detailed overview of the Fava Bean, Foul Mudammas variety, covering its characteristics, growing needs, harvesting tips, and seed-saving process.

1. Characteristics of Fava Bean, Foul Mudammas
- Type: Foul Mudammas is a variety of fava bean (Vicia faba), a cool-season legume grown primarily for its large, flavorful seeds. It’s often considered a staple crop in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions.
- Plant growth: Fava beans are upright, bushy plants that grow to about 2-5 feet tall, depending on the growing conditions and variety. They have sturdy, erect stems and large, oblong leaves that form in pairs along the stem.
- Pods and seeds: The pods are long and contain 3-8 large seeds per pod. The seeds are broad, flattened, and typically green when young, turning brown or beige as they mature and dry.
- Flavor: The seeds have a rich, nutty flavor and a meaty texture, making them ideal for hearty dishes like Foul Mudammas, stews, and salads.
- Cool-season crop: Fava beans thrive in cool temperatures and are usually grown as a spring or fall crop, making them a popular choice in temperate regions.

2. Growing Fava Bean, Foul Mudammas

Fava beans are relatively easy to grow, particularly in cooler climates where they can mature before the heat of summer or as a winter crop in milder regions.

1. Planting Tips
- Direct sowing: Fava beans are best direct sown in the garden, as they don’t transplant well. In temperate regions, plant seeds in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. In mild winter climates, you can sow them in fall for a winter crop.
- Soil preparation: Fava beans prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. They are heavy feeders but can fix nitrogen in the soil, so they benefit from soils with organic matter. Amend the soil with compost before planting.
- Spacing: Sow seeds about 1-2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows, with rows spaced 18-24 inches apart to allow good airflow and ease of harvesting.

2. Watering and Care
- Moderate watering: Fava beans need consistent moisture, especially during flowering and pod formation. Water regularly but avoid overwatering, as they are prone to root rot in waterlogged soils.
- Mulching: Use organic mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture, keep the soil cool, and suppress weeds.

3. Temperature and Light
- Cool-season growth: Fava beans thrive in temperatures between 40-70°F (4-21°C), making them ideal for early spring or fall planting. They can tolerate light frost but may suffer in temperatures above 75°F (24°C).
- Full sun: Plant fava beans in a location with full sun for at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day to encourage strong growth and good pod development.

3. Harvesting Fava Bean, Foul Mudammas

Fava beans can be harvested at different stages, depending on your intended use—either as young green beans or mature dry beans.

1. Harvesting Green Fava Beans
- Green pod stage: For fresh eating, harvest the pods when they are large and green, but still tender. You can shell the seeds from the pods and use them in salads, stir-fries, or traditional dishes like Foul Mudammas.
- Double peeling: If eaten fresh, fava beans often require "double peeling"—removing the seeds from the pod, then blanching the seeds and peeling off the outer seed coat for a more tender bean.

2. Harvesting Dry Fava Beans
- Dry pod stage: For dry beans, allow the pods to fully mature and dry on the plant. The pods will turn brown and become brittle, and the seeds inside will harden.
- Harvesting dry seeds: Once the pods are dry, pick them and shell the beans. Store the dry beans for future use in cooking or seed-saving.

4. Seed-Saving Process for Fava Bean, Foul Mudammas

Saving seeds from fava beans is easy, as they are primarily self-pollinating and produce large, visible seeds.

1. Allowing Seeds to Mature
- Let pods dry on the plant: Choose healthy plants with desirable traits and allow some of the pods to fully mature and dry on the plant. This ensures the seeds reach maximum viability.
- Harvesting seeds: Once the pods are dry, pick them and shell the seeds.

2. Cleaning and Storing Seeds
- Remove any chaff: Separate the seeds from the dried pod material and any remaining chaff.
- Drying and storage: Ensure the seeds are completely dry before storing them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Label the container with the variety name and date of harvest. Properly stored fava bean seeds can remain viable for 3-5 years.

5. Uses and Benefits of Foul Mudammas Fava Beans
- Traditional dish: The seeds are most commonly used to prepare Foul Mudammas, a classic Middle Eastern dish made from slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices.
- Nutrient-rich: Fava beans are an excellent source of protein, fiber, folate, iron, and other nutrients, making them a valuable addition to a nutritious diet.
- Soil enrichment: As a nitrogen-fixing legume, fava beans enrich the soil by adding nitrogen, benefiting other crops in crop rotation.

6. Advantages of Growing Foul Mudammas Fava Beans
- Adaptability: Fava beans are well-suited for cool-season growing in a variety of climates and soil types.
- Pest and disease resistance: They are generally resistant to pests and diseases, although aphids may be an issue, especially during flowering. [There is a type of bean weevel that can burrow into Favas. The Fava Bean Weevil, scientifically known as Bruchus rufimanus, is a leaf beetle that infests crops and fields, as well as some homes. It is a significant pest of faba beans. We recommend freezing the dried bean seeds, directly after the harvest.]
- High yields: Fava beans produce abundant pods and seeds, making them a productive crop for both fresh and dry bean harvests.

Conclusion

Fava Bean, Foul Mudammas is a flavorful, versatile, and nutritious legume that thrives in cool-season conditions. It’s ideal for home gardens, thanks to its adaptability, ease of growing, and culinary versatility. By growing and saving seeds from this variety, you can enjoy traditional dishes while also contributing to sustainable food production.”

As we continue to evolve our Landrace growing practices we will continue to pursue beneficial technology inputs. Thank you once more for reading this.