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When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in Greene 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.

Greene County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 441 feet, Greene County receives approximately 52.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Greene County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 27

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Christmas Lima Beans needs ~1,710 GDD — county provides 4,180 GDD Excellent fit

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

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

220 days

Growing Tips for Greene 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 Greene County, AR?

Greene County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, AR?

Greene County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greene County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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