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When to Plant Lima Beans in Fulton County, AR

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.

Fulton County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 793 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Fulton County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4

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.

Soil Compatibility in Fulton County

How your county's soil matches Lima Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.6) overlaps with Lima Beans's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Fulton County is excellent for Lima Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Lima Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Lima Beans.

How to Plant Lima Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Lima Beans

4
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,987 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, AR

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jul 25

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

206 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Lima Beans in Fulton County

Direct sow Lima Beans outdoors after April 04 in Fulton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Lima Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Fulton County, AR?

Fulton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, AR?

Fulton County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fulton County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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