Blog

When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

Christmas lima beans are a large, beautifully marbled heirloom bean with a rich, chestnut-like flavor. They are a climbing variety that produces generously in warm weather.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 257 feet, Prince of Wales-Hyder receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 70°F, so choose short-season varieties of Christmas Lima Beans to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Christmas Lima Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK (Zone 7b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
202 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Prince of Wales-Hyder Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Sep 11

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 720 gal / 100 sq ft
Christmas Lima Beans needs ~225 GDD — county provides 505 GDD Excellent fit

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 – May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 – May 11
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

80–100 days

Soil pH

6 – 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Prince of Wales-Hyder

Direct sow after soil is warm. Provide tall trellising for vigorous vines. Harvest for fresh shelling when pods are plump or allow to dry on the vine for storage.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Christmas Lima Beans in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is November 1.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Prince of Wales-Hyder gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.