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When to Plant Lima Beans in Adams County, IN

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.

Adams County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 963 feet, Adams County receives approximately 36.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Adams County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Adams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 22

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 204 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,406 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Adams County, IN

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 15

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 5b

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Adams 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 Adams County, IN?

Adams County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adams County, IN?

Adams County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Adams County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Adams County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.