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When to Plant Lima Beans in Clark County, ID

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.

Clark County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 7 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 95 days.

At an elevation of 7,493 feet, Clark County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lima Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Clark County, ID (Zone 4a) Very short season
95 days
Last Spring Frost June 7
95 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Sep 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 23 – Oct 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.

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 32 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lima Beans needs ~862 GDD — county provides 1,092 GDD Good fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, ID

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Jul 12
Harvest August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Oct 4

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 4a

Growing Season

95 days

Growing Tips for Clark 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 Clark County, ID?

Clark County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of June 7. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, ID?

Clark County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 7 and first fall frost is September 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clark County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Clark County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.