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When to Plant Fava Beans in Hemphill 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.

Hemphill County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 3,231 feet, Hemphill County receives approximately 53.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Hemphill County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Hemphill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 28

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

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Fava Beans needs ~1,859 GDD — county provides 4,058 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Hemphill County, TX

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Hemphill 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 Hemphill County, TX?

Hemphill County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hemphill County, TX?

Hemphill County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hemphill County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Hemphill County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.