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When to Plant Fava Beans in Morris 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.

Morris County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 185 feet, Morris County receives approximately 69.9 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.

Morris County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Morris County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 3

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 ~1,925 GDD — county provides 5,368 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Morris County, TX

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 19
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

244 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, TX?

Morris County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morris County, TX?

Morris County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 11.

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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, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.