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When to Plant Lima Beans in Jackson 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.

Jackson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 909 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 25.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Jackson County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Jackson 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 (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 13

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,495 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lima Beans needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,626 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, KS

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 4

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 5b

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, KS?

Jackson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, KS?

Jackson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson 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 Jackson County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.