When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in USDA Zone 5b
May in the garden — Zone 5b
Your Zone 5b garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
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Harden off and plant christmas lima beans
Frost risk is low now in Zone 5b. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Plant christmas lima beans from seed, right in the garden
Your soil is warming°F — warm enough for these to germinate without babying.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: christmas lima beans
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 5b, the average last spring frost is around April 18 and the first fall frost is around October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
Christmas Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Zone 5b
Where Is USDA Zone 5b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5b. Click any state to see the Christmas Lima Beans planting schedule for that location.
Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar — Zone 5b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 21 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Direct Sow | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 16 |
| Harvest | July 25 | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 5b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5b 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
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
178 days (Zone 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
Sow every 9.1 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Christmas Lima Beans in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~178 days). Start Christmas Lima Beans indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
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Saving Christmas Lima Beans Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
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 5b?
In Zone 5b, plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting around the average last frost date of April 18. Start seeds indoors around February 21. Direct sow outdoors around April 25. Transplant seedlings around May 2.
Can Christmas Lima Beans grow in Zone 5b?
Yes, Christmas Lima Beans can grow well in Zone 5b, hardy in USDA zones 4a through 11b. Zone 5b has a growing season of approximately 178 days, which is sufficient for Christmas Lima Beans (80-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Christmas Lima Beans in Zone 5b?
In Zone 5b, expect to harvest Christmas Lima Beans from July 25 – August 29. Christmas Lima Beans takes 80-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 5b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 5b is around April 18, and the first fall frost is around October 13. This gives a growing season of approximately 178 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.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.