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When to Plant Fava Beans in Knox 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.

Knox County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 1,847 feet, Knox County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fava Beans root diseases.

Knox County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Knox County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 10

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 160 gal / 100 sq ft
Fava Beans needs ~1,728 GDD — county provides 4,601 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Knox County, TX

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Jul 21

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
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 7b

Growing Season

233 days

Growing Tips for Knox 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 Knox County, TX?

Knox County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Knox County, TX?

Knox County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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