When to Plant Lima Beans in Anchorage Municipality, AK
Your May gardening checklist
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Anchorage Municipality, Alaska.
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Put lima beans seeds straight in the ground
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
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.
Anchorage Municipality, Alaska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 127 days.
At an elevation of 2,537 feet, Anchorage Municipality receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 71°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lima Beans to ensure they mature before fall.
Anchorage Municipality Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
4.9-6.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Anchorage Municipality
How your county's soil matches Lima Beans's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.9–6.5) is more acidic than Lima Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Anchorage Municipality is excellent for Lima Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Lima Beans.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.2%) — Lima Beans will thrive.
How to Plant Lima Beans
Succession Planting Lima Beans
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 21 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Lima Beans
Lima Beans needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lima Beans Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.9" | 0.9" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 3.9" | 1.5" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.9" | 2.6" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3.9" | 3.3" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.9" | 3.2" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Anchorage Municipality). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lima Beans Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Anchorage Municipality, AK
Lima Beans Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | May 22 | May 22 – Jun 12 |
| Harvest | July 24 | Jul 24 – Sep 4 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Direct Sow |
| June | Direct Sow |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
127 days in Anchorage Municipality
Growing Tips for Lima Beans in Anchorage Municipality
Direct sow Lima Beans outdoors after May 15 in Anchorage Municipality 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.
Anchorage Municipality receives only 20" of rain annually. Lima Beans needs consistent moisture — 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lima Beans in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lima Beans in Anchorage Municipality, AK?
Anchorage Municipality is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Anchorage Municipality, AK?
Anchorage Municipality, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 19.
Your Anchorage Municipality Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Anchorage Municipality (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.