Blog

When to Plant Lima Beans in Lake County, OR

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.

Lake County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost is September 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 1,236 feet, Lake County receives approximately 12.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Lima Beans during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lima Beans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lake County, OR (Zone 6b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 16
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 7

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Lima Beans

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 Lima Beans Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Lima Beans Planting Timeline — Lake County, OR

Lima Beans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 23 Jun 23 – Jul 14
Harvest August 25 Aug 25 – Oct 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Direct Sow
July Direct Sow
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

83 days in Lake County

Growing Tips for Lake 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 Lake County, OR?

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

What planting zone is Lake County, OR?

Lake County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and first fall frost is September 7.

🌱

Your Lake County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lake 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.

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 Lake County, OR. 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.