Blog

When to plant Fava Beans in Franklin County, AR

Plant Fava Beans in Franklin County, when soil hits 50°F — usually March 15. Continue planting through April 5 for the spring crop. A second sowing from August 23 to September 6 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Fava Beans in Franklin County, AR

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.

Franklin County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 1,224 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season.

Franklin County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Fava Beans Planting Timeline — Franklin County, AR

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 – Apr 5
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 – Jul 26
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

75–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

217 days in Franklin County

Growing Tips for Franklin 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Fava Beans in Franklin County, AR?

Franklin County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, AR?

Franklin County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 1.

When should I plant Fava Beans in Franklin County, AR?

In Franklin County, AR, plant Fava Beans after the last frost (around March 29) and before the first frost (around November 1). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Franklin County, AR for Fava Beans?

Franklin County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Fava Beans grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Fava Beans grow in Franklin County's climate?

Yes — Fava Beans grows well in Franklin County's temperate climate. Franklin County averages a 217-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 29 and first frost around November 1.

🌱

Your Franklin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Franklin County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Franklin County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.