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When to Plant Fava Beans in Summit County, UT

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.

Summit County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 94 days.

At an elevation of 8,145 feet, Summit County receives approximately 24.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Fava Beans during the growing season.

Summit County, UT (Zone 5b) Very short season
94 days
Last Spring Frost June 10
94 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Summit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.3

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Fava Beans Planting Timeline — Summit County, UT

Fava Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Transplant Outdoors June 10 Jun 10 – Jun 24
Direct Sow May 27 May 27 – Jun 17
Harvest August 26 Aug 26 – Oct 7
Fall Sowing July 4 Jul 4 – Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Start Indoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5b

📆 Growing Season

94 days in Summit County

Growing Tips for Summit 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 Summit County, UT?

Summit County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 10. Plan your Fava Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Summit County, UT?

Summit County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 10 and first fall frost is September 12.

🌱

Your Summit County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Summit County (Zone 5b). 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 Summit County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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