When to Plant Lima Beans in USDA Zone 11a
June in Zone 11a — your action list
Your Zone 11a garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.
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Survive, don't thrive
June-August is endurance gardening. Keep okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and southern peas alive. Harvest everything daily before the heat damages produce on the vine.
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Start fall tomato seeds indoors
Yes, indoors — under lights or in AC. They'll be ready to transplant in August when temperatures briefly moderate.
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Add compost to empty beds
Empty beds get a thick layer of compost + mulch to suppress weeds and feed the soil for fall planting.
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.
In Zone 11a, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Zone 11a
Where Is USDA Zone 11a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 11a. Click any state to see the Lima Beans planting schedule for that location.
Lima Beans Planting Calendar — Zone 11a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | January 8 | Jan 8 – Jan 29 |
| Harvest | March 12 | Mar 12 – Apr 23 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Direct Sow |
| February | — |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 11a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 11a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
40°F to 45°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
365 days (Zone 11a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Lima Beans in Zone 11a
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Lima Beans in Zone 11a
Zone 11a offers a long growing season (~365 days). You can plant Lima Beans earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
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Saving Lima Beans Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Lima Beans in Other Zones
Lima Beans by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lima Beans in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, plan your Lima Beans planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Direct sow outdoors around January 8.
Can Lima Beans grow in Zone 11a?
Yes, Lima Beans can grow well in Zone 11a, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Zone 11a has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Lima Beans (60-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Lima Beans in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, expect to harvest Lima Beans from March 12 – April 23. Lima Beans takes 60-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 11a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 11a is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Lima Beans?
Good companion plants for Lima Beans include Corn, Squash Summer, Carrots. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 11a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 11a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.