When to Plant Fava Beans in Tangipahoa Parish, LA
Top priorities for Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana gardeners in May
Each item below is timed to Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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It's harvest week for fava beans
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: fava beans
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.
Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 264 days.
At an elevation of 111 feet, Tangipahoa Parish receives approximately 56.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Fava Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fava Beans root diseases.
Tangipahoa Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
4.8-6
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 Tangipahoa Parish
How your county's soil matches Fava Beans's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.8–6.0) is more acidic than Fava Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Tangipahoa Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Fava Beans will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Fava Beans.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Fava Beans.
How to Plant Fava Beans
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Fava Beans
Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 15 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 28.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 6.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 5.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Tangipahoa Parish). 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 — Tangipahoa Parish, LA
Fava Beans Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 4 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Direct Sow | February 11 | Feb 11 – Mar 4 |
| Harvest | May 20 | May 20 – Jul 1 |
| Fall Sowing | September 28 | Sep 28 – Oct 12 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
75–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
264 days in Tangipahoa Parish
Growing Tips for Fava Beans in Tangipahoa Parish
Direct sow Fava Beans outdoors after March 04 in Tangipahoa Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Tangipahoa Parish dries quickly — mulch Fava Beans with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Common pests for Fava Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
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
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Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Fava Beans in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Fava Beans in Tangipahoa Parish, LA?
Tangipahoa Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Tangipahoa Parish, LA?
Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 23.
Your Tangipahoa Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Tangipahoa Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.