When to Plant Christmas Lima Beans in Mason County, WA
Your May gardening checklist
May is a pivotal month for Mason County, Washington gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Get christmas lima beans in the ground
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: christmas lima beans
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.
Mason County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.
At an elevation of 230 feet, Mason County receives approximately 36.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Christmas Lima Beans during the growing season.
Mason County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Mason County
How your county's soil matches Christmas Lima Beans's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.7) overlaps with Christmas Lima Beans's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Mason County is excellent for Christmas Lima Beans — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.3%) — Christmas Lima Beans will thrive.
How to Plant Christmas Lima Beans
Succession Planting Christmas Lima Beans
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 21 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 1.8" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.6" | 3.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.7" | 3.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 6.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 5.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Mason 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 Planting Timeline — Mason County, WA
Christmas Lima Beans Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 28 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Direct Sow | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 16 |
| Harvest | July 25 | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
80–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
194 days in Mason County
Growing Tips for Christmas Lima Beans in Mason County
Direct sow Christmas Lima Beans outdoors after April 18 in Mason County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Christmas Lima Beans in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Christmas Lima Beans in Mason County, WA?
Mason County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Christmas Lima Beans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Mason County, WA?
Mason County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 29.
Your Mason County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Mason County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.