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When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in Pershing County, NV

Pershing County, Nevada Zone 6b July

July to-do list for Pershing County, Nevada

July is a pivotal month for Pershing County, Nevada gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 23
Avg. first frost September 23
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs

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Christmas lima beans are a large, beautifully marbled heirloom bean with a rich, chestnut-like flavor. They are a climbing variety that produces generously in warm weather.

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 4,541 feet, Pershing County receives approximately 16.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Christmas Lima Beans may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Christmas Lima Beans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Christmas Lima Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pershing County, NV (Zone 6b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Pershing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: Jun 30 🍅 Harvest: Sep 22 – Oct 27

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 Pershing County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0–8.3) is more alkaline than Christmas Lima Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Christmas Lima Beans.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Christmas Lima Beans.

How to Plant Christmas Lima Beans

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

Christmas Lima Beans Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 981 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Christmas Lima Beans

Christmas Lima Beans needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Christmas Lima Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Pershing County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Christmas 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.

Christmas Lima Beans needs ~2,250 GDD — county provides 3,075 GDD Excellent fit

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Pershing County, NV

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors June 6 Jun 6 – Jun 20
Direct Sow May 30 May 30 – Jun 20
Harvest August 29 Aug 29 – Oct 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

80–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Pershing County

Growing Tips for Christmas Lima Beans in Pershing County

Direct sow Christmas Lima Beans outdoors after May 23 in Pershing County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

With summer highs reaching 100°F in Pershing County, provide afternoon shade for Christmas Lima Beans and water deeply in the morning.

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

Pershing County receives only 16" of rain annually. Christmas Lima Beans needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct sow after soil is warm. Provide tall trellising for vigorous vines. Harvest for fresh shelling when pods are plump or allow to dry on the vine for storage.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Christmas Lima Beans in Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 23.

🌱

Your Pershing County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Pershing County (Zone 6b). 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 Pershing County, NV. 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.