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When to Plant Lima Beans in Wilson 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.

Wilson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 595 feet, Wilson County receives approximately 32.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Wilson County, KS (Zone 6b) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Wilson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 698 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 3,216 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Wilson County, KS

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 28

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 โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Wilson 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 Wilson County, KS?

Wilson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wilson County, KS?

Wilson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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