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When to Plant Lima Beans in Stone 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.

Stone County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,490 feet, Stone County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Stone County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Stone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 43 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lima Beans needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Stone County, AR

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 22

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 โ€”
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

209 days

Growing Tips for Stone 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 Stone County, AR?

Stone County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stone County, AR?

Stone County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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