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When to Plant Lima Beans in Jackson 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.

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 5,388 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lima Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Jackson County, CO (Zone 3b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 4

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 8

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lima Beans needs ~750 GDD — county provides 830 GDD Good fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, CO

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Jul 18
Harvest August 29 Aug 29 โ€“ Oct 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Direct Sow
July Direct Sow
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 3b

Growing Season

83 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, CO?

Jackson County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

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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 Jackson County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.