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When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in Habersham County, GA

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.

Habersham County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 442 feet, Habersham County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Christmas Lima Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Christmas Lima Beans, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Christmas Lima Beans root diseases.

Habersham County, GA (Zone 7b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Habersham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Sep 13

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Christmas Lima Beans needs ~1,710 GDD — county provides 3,705 GDD Excellent fit

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Habersham County, GA

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 7b

Growing Season

195 days

Growing Tips for Habersham 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Christmas Lima Beans in Habersham County, GA?

Habersham County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Habersham County, GA?

Habersham County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Habersham County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Habersham County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.