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When to Plant Lima Beans in Huron County, MI

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.

Huron County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 154 days.

At an elevation of 1,170 feet, Huron County receives approximately 41.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lima Beans to ensure they mature before fall.

Huron County, MI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
154 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
154 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Huron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~919 GDD — county provides 1,886 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Huron County, MI

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 6
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Aug 29

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
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

154 days

Growing Tips for Huron 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 Huron County, MI?

Huron County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Huron County, MI?

Huron County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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