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When to Plant Lima Beans in Texas County, OK

Texas County, Oklahoma Zone 6b May

What to do in May

Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
Looking ahead to June
  • First harvests: lima beans

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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.

Texas County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 870 feet, Texas County receives approximately 20.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season.

Texas County, OK (Zone 6b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Texas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 15

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 Texas County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.8) is more alkaline than Lima Beans prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Texas County is excellent for Lima Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Lima Beans will thrive.

How to Plant Lima Beans

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

Succession Planting Lima Beans

3
successive plantings in your 187-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 887 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 2.1" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.9" 2.3" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 2.3" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 2.1" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 1.4" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Texas County). 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 needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,132 GDD Excellent fit

Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Texas County, OK

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 – May 14
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 – Aug 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Texas County

Growing Tips for Lima Beans in Texas County

Direct sow Lima Beans outdoors after April 16 in Texas County 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.

Texas County 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

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lima Beans in Texas County, OK?

Texas County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Lima Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Texas County, OK?

Texas County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 20.

🌱

Your Texas County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Texas 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 Texas County, OK. 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.