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When to Plant Lima Beans in Gibson 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.

Gibson County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 652 feet, Gibson County receives approximately 38.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Gibson County, IN (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Gibson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 3

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 389 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 3,741 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Gibson County, IN

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 27

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 Direct Sow
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 6b

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Gibson 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 Gibson County, IN?

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

What planting zone is Gibson County, IN?

Gibson County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Gibson County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.