When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in USDA Zone 6b
Zone 6b gardeners: here's your April plan
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Zone 6b this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Transplant christmas lima beans outside
Frost risk is low now in Zone 6b. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Sow christmas lima beans where they'll grow
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
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 6b, the average last spring frost is around April 3 and the first fall frost is around October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.
Christmas Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Zone 6b
Where Is USDA Zone 6b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6b. Click any state to see the Christmas Lima Beans planting schedule for that location.
Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar — Zone 6b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 6 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Direct Sow | April 10 | Apr 10 – May 1 |
| Harvest | July 10 | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6b 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
205 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 (~205 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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
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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 6b?
In Zone 6b, plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting around the average last frost date of April 3. Start seeds indoors around February 6. Direct sow outdoors around April 10. Transplant seedlings around April 17.
Can Christmas Lima Beans grow in Zone 6b?
Yes, Christmas Lima Beans can grow well in Zone 6b, hardy in USDA zones 4a through 11b. Zone 6b has a growing season of approximately 205 days, which is sufficient for Christmas Lima Beans (80-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Christmas Lima Beans in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, expect to harvest Christmas Lima Beans from July 10 – August 14. Christmas Lima Beans takes 80-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6b is around April 3, and the first fall frost is around October 25. This gives a growing season of approximately 205 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.