When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in USDA Zone 7a
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 7a, the average last spring frost is around March 25 and the first fall frost is around November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.
Christmas Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Zone 7a
Where Is USDA Zone 7a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 7a. Click any state to see the Christmas Lima Beans planting schedule for that location.
Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar — Zone 7a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 4 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Direct Sow | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 22 |
| Harvest | July 1 | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
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 | — |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 7a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 7a 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
0°F to 5°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
221 days (Zone 7a 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 7a
Sow every 9.1 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Christmas Lima Beans in Zone 7a
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
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 7a?
In Zone 7a, plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting around the average last frost date of March 25. Start seeds indoors around February 4. Direct sow outdoors around April 1. Transplant seedlings around April 8.
Can Christmas Lima Beans grow in Zone 7a?
Yes, Christmas Lima Beans can grow well in Zone 7a, hardy in USDA zones 4a through 11b. Zone 7a has a growing season of approximately 221 days, which is sufficient for Christmas Lima Beans (80-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Christmas Lima Beans in Zone 7a?
In Zone 7a, expect to harvest Christmas Lima Beans from July 1 – August 5. Christmas Lima Beans takes 80-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 7a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 7a is around March 25, and the first fall frost is around November 1. This gives a growing season of approximately 221 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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