Rainline Garden

When to plant fava beans in The Dalles, OR

Plant fava beans from seed, directly in the garden in The Dalles, Mar 20 – Apr 24.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

The Dalles's typical last spring frost is April 11. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
6 inches apart
Planting depth
1 to 2 inches deep
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 85 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Mar 20 – Apr 24, 1 to 2 inches deep, 6 inches apart.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. Harvest: Pick pods when they bulge with beans but are still green. Shell the beans and slip off the pale skins for the sweetest flavor.

Varieties that do well here

  • Broad Windsor
  • Aquadulce Claudia (for fall sowing)
  • Vroma

Watch out for

Black aphids gather on the growing tips in late spring. Pinch off the tips once pods start forming.

Unlike other beans, favas love cool weather. West of the Cascades they can also be sown in October to overwinter for an early crop.

Common questions

When is the last frost in The Dalles, OR?

Typically April 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for The Dalles Municipal Airport (Dallesport, WA).

Is it too late to plant fava beans in The Dalles?

The spring planting window runs through April 24. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can harvest fava beans?

About 85 days after planting. Pick pods when they bulge with beans but are still green. Shell the beans and slip off the pale skins for the sweetest flavor.

Also plant in The Dalles around the same time

Planting dates for fava beans in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for The Dalles · Fava beans in every city