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When to plant Lima Beans in Wayne County, GA

Spring Lima Beans in Wayne County goes in March 8–March 29, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing.

When to Plant Lima Beans in Wayne County, GA

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.

Wayne County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost is November 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 473 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 61.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Lima Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lima Beans root diseases.

Wayne County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost March 1
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 24

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lima Beans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – May 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (163 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 7

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 Wayne County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.4) is more acidic than Lima Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Wayne County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Lima Beans will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Lima Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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

5
successive plantings in your 268-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.

Lima Beans Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 4,690 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Wayne County, GA

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 29
Harvest May 10 May 10 – Jun 21

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

268 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Lima Beans in Wayne County

Direct sow Lima Beans outdoors after March 01 in Wayne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Wayne County dries quickly — mulch Lima Beans with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lima Beans in Wayne County, GA?

Wayne County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, GA?

Wayne County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and first fall frost is November 24.

When should I plant Lima Beans in Wayne County, GA?

In Wayne County, GA, plant Lima Beans after the last frost (around March 1) and before the first frost (around November 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Wayne County, GA for Lima Beans?

Wayne County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Lima Beans grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lima Beans grow in Wayne County's climate?

Yes — Lima Beans grows well in Wayne County's temperate climate. Wayne County averages a 268-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 1 and first frost around November 24.

🌱

Your Wayne County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wayne County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Wayne County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.