Fava Beans Planting Guide
Fava beans are a cool-season legume with large, meaty beans inside thick pods. They fix nitrogen in the soil and are one of the oldest cultivated crops.
Vicia faba · Vegetable · Fabaceae family · 75–100 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Fava Beans Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Fava Beans?
Fava Beans Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Fava Beans planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Aug 15 – Sep 26 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 10 | May 15 | May 22 | Aug 7 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 31 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 10 | Jul 26 – Sep 6 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | May 6 | Jul 22 – Sep 2 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | May 1 | Jul 17 – Aug 28 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | Jul 11 – Aug 22 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | Jul 4 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | Jun 26 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | Jun 19 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 25 | Jun 10 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | Jun 3 – Jul 15 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | May 24 – Jul 5 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 25 | May 13 – Jun 24 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 10 | Apr 28 – Jun 9 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 25 | Apr 12 – May 24 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Mar 19 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Mar 19 – Apr 30 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Transplant shows "—" because Fava Beans is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Fava Beans
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 10b
📅 Days to Maturity
75–100 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Fabaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Fabaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Fava Beans
Fava Beans matures in just 75–100 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 8.6 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Fava Beans
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Fava Beans
Direct sow as early as soil can be worked in spring. Pinch growing tips when pods begin to form to redirect energy and reduce aphid problems. Stake tall varieties.
Saving Fava Beans Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Fava Beans by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Fava Beans?
Fava Beans (Vicia faba) takes 75 to 100 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Fava Beans grow in?
Fava Beans can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Fava Beans need?
Growing Fava Beans requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.