Blog

When to Plant Lima Beans in Jackson County, AL

Lima beans are a warm-season legume producing large, creamy beans with a buttery texture. Both bush and pole varieties are available, with pole types yielding more.

Jackson County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 302 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 59.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for 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 Lima Beans root diseases.

Jackson County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 2

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 4,048 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, AL

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Jackson County

Direct sow after soil is thoroughly warm at 65F or above. Do not soak seeds before planting as they may crack. Harvest when pods are plump but still green for fresh limas.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lima Beans in Jackson County, AL?

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

What planting zone is Jackson County, AL?

Jackson County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Jackson County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.