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When to Plant Lima Beans in Grant County, KS

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.

Grant County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,096 feet, Grant County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Grant County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 17

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 781 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lima Beans needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,461 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, KS

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Aug 11

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 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 6a

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, KS?

Grant County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, KS?

Grant County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Grant County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.