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When to Plant Lima Beans in Goshen County, WY

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.

Goshen County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 5,820 feet, Goshen County receives approximately 15.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lima Beans to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lima Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Goshen County, WY (Zone 5a) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Goshen County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 6

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 780 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lima Beans needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,807 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline โ€” Goshen County, WY

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 10
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Sep 2

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 5a

Growing Season

139 days

Growing Tips for Goshen 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 Goshen County, WY?

Goshen County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Goshen County, WY?

Goshen County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Goshen County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Goshen County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.