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When to Plant Fava Beans in Dallam County, TX

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.

Dallam County, Texas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 3,388 feet, Dallam County receives approximately 54.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Fava Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Fava Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fava Beans root diseases.

Dallam County, TX (Zone 6b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Dallam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.9-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 4

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Fava Beans needs ~1,925 GDD — county provides 3,762 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Dallam County, TX

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Aug 19
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Aug 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
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

171 days

Growing Tips for Dallam 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 Dallam County, TX?

Dallam County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dallam County, TX?

Dallam County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 14.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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