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When to Plant Lima Beans in Tipton 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.

Tipton County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 1,282 feet, Tipton County receives approximately 31.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Tipton County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Tipton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 21

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 414 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,447 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Tipton County, IN

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Aug 12

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 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

178 days

Growing Tips for Tipton 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 Tipton County, IN?

Tipton County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tipton County, IN?

Tipton County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 17.

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