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When to Plant Fava Beans in Parker 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.

Parker County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 4,469 feet, Parker County receives approximately 60.6 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.

Parker County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Parker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Fava Beans needs ~1,466 GDD — county provides 4,003 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Parker County, TX

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jul 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March 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

239 days

Growing Tips for Parker 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 Parker County, TX?

Parker County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Parker County, TX?

Parker County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

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