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When to Plant Lima Beans in Osage 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.

Osage 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 504 feet, Osage County receives approximately 28.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

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

Osage County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 683 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,283 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Osage 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

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

196 days

Growing Tips for Osage 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 Osage County, KS?

Osage 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 Osage County, KS?

Osage 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 Osage 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 Osage County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.