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When to Plant Lima Beans in Crowley County, CO

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.

Crowley County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 5,963 feet, Crowley County receives approximately 17.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lima Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Crowley County, CO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Crowley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 25

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 974 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lima Beans needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 2,905 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Crowley County, CO

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

166 days

Growing Tips for Crowley 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lima Beans in Crowley County, CO?

Crowley County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crowley County, CO?

Crowley County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Crowley County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Crowley County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.