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When to Plant Fava Beans in Perry County, MO

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.

Perry County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 695 feet, Perry County receives approximately 36.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season.

Perry County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 21

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 377 gal / 100 sq ft
Fava Beans needs ~1,597 GDD — county provides 3,540 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Perry County, MO

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Aug 7

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

75โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Perry County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Fava Beans in Perry County, MO?

Perry County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, MO?

Perry County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Perry County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Perry County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.