Blog

When to Plant Fava Beans in Somervell 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.

Somervell County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 4,773 feet, Somervell County receives approximately 64.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Fava Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Fava Beans root diseases.

Somervell County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Somervell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Fava Beans Planting Timeline — Somervell County, TX

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 26
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 – Jul 16
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 – Sep 17

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 8b

📆 Growing Season

238 days in Somervell County

Growing Tips for Somervell 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 Somervell County, TX?

Somervell County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Somervell County, TX?

Somervell County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Somervell County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Somervell County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Somervell 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.