When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in USDA Zone 10b
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.
In Zone 10b, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Christmas Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Zone 10b
Where Is USDA Zone 10b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 10b. Click any state to see the Christmas Lima Beans planting schedule for that location.
Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar — Zone 10b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | November 20 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 8 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Direct Sow | January 1 | Jan 1 – Jan 22 |
| Harvest | April 2 | Apr 2 – May 7 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | Start Indoors |
| December | Start Indoors |
Free Zone 10b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 10b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
80–100 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
35°F to 40°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
364 days (Zone 10b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Christmas Lima Beans in Zone 10b
Sow every 9.1 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Christmas Lima Beans in Zone 10b
Zone 10b offers a long growing season (~364 days). You can plant Christmas Lima Beans earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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
Level Up Your Garden
Saving Christmas Lima Beans Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Christmas Lima Beans in Other Zones
Christmas Lima Beans by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Christmas Lima Beans in Zone 10b?
In Zone 10b, plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around November 20. Direct sow outdoors around January 1. Transplant seedlings around January 8.
Can Christmas Lima Beans grow in Zone 10b?
Yes, Christmas Lima Beans can grow well in Zone 10b, hardy in USDA zones 4a through 11b. Zone 10b has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Christmas Lima Beans (80-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Christmas Lima Beans in Zone 10b?
In Zone 10b, expect to harvest Christmas Lima Beans from April 2 – May 7. Christmas Lima Beans takes 80-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 10b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 10b is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Christmas Lima Beans?
Good companion plants for Christmas Lima Beans include Corn, Squash Summer. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
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