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When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in White Pine County, NV

White Pine County, Nevada Zone 6a May

Your May game plan for White Pine County, Nevada

Your garden in White Pine County, Nevada is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost June 12
Avg. first frost September 12
Soil temp (4") 39°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
June prep starts now
  • Transplants going out: christmas lima beans
  • Direct-sowing: christmas lima beans

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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.

White Pine County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 92 days.

At an elevation of 6,766 feet, White Pine County receives approximately 15 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Christmas Lima Beans during the growing season. 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.

White Pine County, NV (Zone 6a) Very short season
92 days
Last Spring Frost June 12
92 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12
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White Pine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: Jun 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 13 – Oct 18
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 18 – Oct 23
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: Jul 5 🍅 Harvest: Sep 27 – Nov 1

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 White Pine County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–8.3) 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 White Pine 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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 604 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 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 0.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in White Pine 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 ~1,642 GDD — county provides 1,679 GDD Good fit

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Timeline — White Pine County, NV

Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Outdoors June 26 Jun 26 – Jul 10
Direct Sow June 19 Jun 19 – Jul 10
Harvest September 18 Sep 18 – Oct 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
August
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December
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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 6a

📆 Growing Season

92 days in White Pine County

Growing Tips for Christmas Lima Beans in White Pine County

Direct sow Christmas Lima Beans outdoors after June 12 in White Pine County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in White Pine 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.

Your 92.0-day growing season in White Pine County is tight for Christmas Lima Beans (80.0-100.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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.

White Pine County receives only 15" 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 White Pine County, NV?

White Pine County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 12. Plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is White Pine County, NV?

White Pine County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and first fall frost is September 12.

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Your White Pine County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for White Pine County (Zone 6a). 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 White Pine County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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