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When to Plant Lima Beans in Rockcastle County, KY

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.

Rockcastle County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,677 feet, Rockcastle County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Rockcastle County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Rockcastle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 14

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 143 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 3,467 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Rockcastle County, KY

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 6

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 6b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Rockcastle 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 Rockcastle County, KY?

Rockcastle County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rockcastle County, KY?

Rockcastle County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Rockcastle County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.