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When to Plant Lima Beans in Lyon 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.

Lyon County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 629 feet, Lyon County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Lyon County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Lyon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 8

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.

Soil Compatibility in Lyon County

How your county's soil matches Lima Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.3) overlaps with Lima Beans's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Lyon County is excellent for Lima Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Lima Beans will thrive.

How to Plant Lima Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Lima Beans

3
successive plantings in your 196-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 27 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 807 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lima Beans needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 3,136 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Lyon County, KS

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 10
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 2

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

196 days in Lyon County

Growing Tips for Lima Beans in Lyon County

Direct sow Lima Beans outdoors after April 12 in Lyon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Lima Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Lyon County receives only 24" of rain annually. Lima Beans needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Lyon County, KS?

Lyon County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lyon County, KS?

Lyon County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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