When to Plant Fava Beans in Rice County, KS
May in the garden — Rice County, Kansas
A quick May briefing for Rice County, Kansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Start fava beans under lights
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
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.
Rice County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.
At an elevation of 1,019 feet, Rice County receives approximately 24.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season.
Rice County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Rice County
How your county's soil matches Fava Beans's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Fava Beans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Rice County is excellent for Fava Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). Annual compost additions will help Fava Beans.
How to Plant Fava Beans
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Fava Beans
Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 10 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 09.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.3" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.8" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Rice 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 Planting Timeline — Rice County, KS
Fava Beans Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 16 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Direct Sow | April 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 23 |
| Harvest | July 2 | Jul 2 – Aug 13 |
| Fall Sowing | August 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
185 days in Rice County
Growing Tips for Fava Beans in Rice County
Direct sow Fava Beans outdoors after April 16 in Rice 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.
Rice County receives only 25" 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Fava Beans in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Fava Beans in Rice County, KS?
Rice County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Rice County, KS?
Rice County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 18.
Your Rice County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Rice County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.