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When to Plant Fava Beans in Jack 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.

Jack County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 2,081 feet, Jack County receives approximately 66.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Fava Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fava Beans root diseases.

Jack County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Jack County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 13

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
Fava Beans needs ~1,466 GDD — county provides 3,819 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Jack County, TX

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Jul 23

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 Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Jack 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 Jack County, TX?

Jack County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jack County, TX?

Jack County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

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