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When to Plant Lima Beans in Colleton County, SC

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.

Colleton County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 265 feet, Colleton County receives approximately 58.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Lima Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lima Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lima Beans root diseases.

Colleton County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 10
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Colleton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lima Beans needs ~1,650 GDD — county provides 5,456 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Colleton County, SC

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

248 days

Growing Tips for Colleton 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 Colleton County, SC?

Colleton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 10. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Colleton County, SC?

Colleton County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and first fall frost is November 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Colleton County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Colleton County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.