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When to Plant Fava Beans in Carter County, OK

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.

Carter County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.

At an elevation of 648 feet, Carter County receives approximately 34.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season.

Carter County, OK (Zone 8a) Long season
219 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
219 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Carter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Fava Beans Planting Timeline — Carter County, OK

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 – Apr 4
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Jul 25
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 – Sep 7

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

219 days in Carter County

Growing Tips for Carter 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 Carter County, OK?

Carter County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carter County, OK?

Carter County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 2.

🌱

Your Carter County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Carter 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.

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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 Carter County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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