Blog

When to Plant Lima Beans in Grant 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.

Grant County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 498 feet, Grant County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lima Beans root diseases.

Grant County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 187 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~1,538 GDD — county provides 4,838 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, AR

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

236 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, AR?

Grant County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, AR?

Grant County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Grant County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.