When to Plant Fava Beans in USDA Zone 10b
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.
In Zone 10b, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Fava Beans Planting Timeline — Zone 10b
Where Is USDA Zone 10b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 10b. Click any state to see the Fava Beans planting schedule for that location.
Fava Beans Planting Calendar — Zone 10b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 4 | Dec 4 – Dec 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 1 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Direct Sow | December 11 | Dec 11 – Jan 1 |
| Fall Sowing | November 5 | Nov 5 – Nov 19 |
| Harvest | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 30 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| February | — |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | Fall Sowing |
| December | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
Free Zone 10b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 10b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
75–100 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
35°F to 40°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
364 days (Zone 10b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Zone 10b
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
Level Up Your Garden
Saving Fava Beans Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Fava Beans in Other Zones
Fava Beans by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Fava Beans in Zone 10b?
In Zone 10b, plan your Fava Beans planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around December 4. Direct sow outdoors around December 11. Transplant seedlings around January 1.
Can Fava Beans grow in Zone 10b?
Yes, Fava Beans can grow well in Zone 10b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 10b has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Fava Beans (75-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Fava Beans in Zone 10b?
In Zone 10b, expect to harvest Fava Beans from March 19 – April 30. Fava Beans takes 75-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 10b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 10b is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Fava Beans?
Good companion plants for Fava Beans include Corn, Lettuce, Celery, Potatoes. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
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