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When to Plant Lima Beans in Utah 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.

Utah County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 5,535 feet, Utah County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Utah County, UT (Zone 6a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Utah County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 13

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.

Soil Compatibility in Utah County

How your county's soil matches Lima Beans's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“8.3) is more alkaline than Lima Beans prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Utah County is excellent for Lima Beans โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Lima Beans.

How to Plant Lima Beans

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Lima Beans

3
successive plantings in your 159-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 13 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 537 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lima Beans needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,305 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Utah County, UT

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 12 May 12 โ€“ Jun 2
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Aug 25

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.9"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

159 days in Utah County

Growing Tips for Lima Beans in Utah County

Direct sow Lima Beans outdoors after May 05 in Utah County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Lima Beans in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Utah County receives only 22" of rain annually. Lima Beans needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Utah County, UT?

Utah County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Utah County, UT?

Utah County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Utah County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Utah County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.