Blog

When to Plant Fava Beans in Texas 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.

Texas County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 624 feet, Texas County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season.

Texas County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Texas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 18

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.

Soil Compatibility in Texas County

How your county's soil matches Fava Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.8) overlaps with Fava Beans's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Texas County is excellent for Fava Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Fava Beans.

How to Plant Fava Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Fava Beans

3
successive plantings in your 199-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 17.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 250 gal / 100 sq ft
Fava Beans needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,184 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Texas 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 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

75โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

199 days in Texas County

Growing Tips for Fava Beans in Texas County

Direct sow Fava Beans outdoors after April 10 in Texas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Fava Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Texas County, MO?

Texas County is in Zone 6a 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 Texas County, MO?

Texas County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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