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When to Plant Lima Beans in Sanpete County, UT

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.

Sanpete County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 130 days.

At an elevation of 6,969 feet, Sanpete County receives approximately 14.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lima Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Sanpete County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
130 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
130 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Sanpete County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 23

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 751 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lima Beans needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 1,885 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Sanpete County, UT

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 18
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Sep 10

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 Harvest
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

130 days

Growing Tips for Sanpete 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 Sanpete County, UT?

Sanpete County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sanpete County, UT?

Sanpete County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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