Blog

When to Plant Lima Beans in Mahoning County, OH

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.

Mahoning County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 759 feet, Mahoning County receives approximately 37.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Mahoning County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Mahoning County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Mahoning County, OH

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 – May 28
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 – Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

171 days in Mahoning County

Growing Tips for Mahoning County

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 Mahoning County, OH?

Mahoning County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mahoning County, OH?

Mahoning County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 18.

🌱

Your Mahoning County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Mahoning 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Mahoning County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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