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When to plant Fava Beans in Kit Carson County County,

Kit Carson County County's spring Fava Beans window runs April 25 through May 16. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from July 30 to August 13 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Fava Beans in Kit Carson County, CO

Kit Carson County, Colorado Zone 6a June

June in Kit Carson County, Colorado — your action list

Here's what deserves your attention in Kit Carson County, Colorado this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 9
Avg. first frost October 8
Soil temp (4") 49°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Get fava beans seeds going inside

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: fava beans
  • Fall sowing: fava beans

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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.

Kit Carson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.

At an elevation of 6,382 feet, Kit Carson County receives approximately 23.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season.

Kit Carson County, CO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
152 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
152 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8
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Kit Carson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Fava Beans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 16

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.

Soil Compatibility in Kit Carson County

How your county's soil matches Fava Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–8.0) is more alkaline than Fava Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Kit Carson County is excellent for Fava Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Fava Beans.

How to Plant Fava Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Fava Beans

2
successive plantings in your 152-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 30.

Fava Beans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 583 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Fava Beans

Fava Beans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Fava Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Kit Carson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Fava Beans Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Fava Beans needs ~1,203 GDD — county provides 2,090 GDD Excellent fit

Fava Beans Planting Timeline — Kit Carson County, CO

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 – Sep 5
Fall Sowing July 30 Jul 30 – Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

75–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

152 days in Kit Carson County

Growing Tips for Fava Beans in Kit Carson County

Direct sow Fava Beans outdoors after May 09 in Kit Carson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Fava Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Kit Carson County receives only 23" of rain annually. Fava Beans needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Kit Carson County, CO?

Kit Carson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kit Carson County, CO?

Kit Carson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 8.

When should I plant Fava Beans in Kit Carson County, ?

In Kit Carson County, , plant Fava Beans after the last frost (around May 9) and before the first frost (around October 8). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Kit Carson County, for Fava Beans?

Kit Carson County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Fava Beans grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Fava Beans grow in Kit Carson County's climate?

Yes — Fava Beans grows well in Kit Carson County's temperate climate. Kit Carson County averages a 152-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 9 and first frost around October 8.

🌱

Your Kit Carson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kit Carson County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Kit Carson County, CO. 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.