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When to Plant Fava Beans in Morris County, NJ

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.

Morris County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 227 feet, Morris County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season.

Morris County, NJ (Zone 6b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Morris County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 6

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 504 gal / 100 sq ft
Fava Beans needs ~1,597 GDD — county provides 4,161 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Morris County, NJ

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Apr 5
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

228 days

Growing Tips for Morris 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 Morris County, NJ?

Morris County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morris County, NJ?

Morris County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morris 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 Morris County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.