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When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in Grant County, AR

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.

Grant County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 498 feet, Grant County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Christmas Lima Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Christmas Lima Beans root diseases.

Grant County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 20

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 187 gal / 100 sq ft
Christmas Lima Beans needs ~1,845 GDD — county provides 4,838 GDD Excellent fit

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, AR

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 โ€“ Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

80โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

236 days

Growing Tips for Grant County

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 Grant County, AR?

Grant County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, AR?

Grant County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

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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 Grant County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.