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When to Plant Fava Beans in Missouri

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.

Missouri spans USDA hardiness zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Fava Beans planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Fava Beans Planting Calendar for Missouri

Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 – Aug 18
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 – Aug 15
Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 – Aug 7
Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 10
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 – Jul 31
Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Jul 22

Growing Tips for Missouri

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Fava Beans in Missouri?

Planting dates for Fava Beans in Missouri depend on your USDA zone. Missouri spans zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Missouri for planting?

Missouri contains USDA hardiness zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.