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When to Plant Fava Beans in Archer County, TX

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.

Archer County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 2,151 feet, Archer County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fava Beans root diseases.

Archer County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Archer 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Fava Beans Planting Timeline — Archer County, TX

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 27
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 – Jul 17
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 – Sep 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
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

240 days in Archer County

Growing Tips for Archer 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 Archer County, TX?

Archer County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Archer County, TX?

Archer County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Archer County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Archer 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 Archer County, TX. 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.