Need warm soil to germinate; both bush and pole types available; sensitive to cold
Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2A | May 30 | — | — | Jun 13 |
| Zone 3B | May 15 | — | — | May 29 |
| Zone 4A | May 8 | — | — | May 22 |
| Zone 4B | May 1 | — | — | May 15 |
| Zone 5A | Apr 25 | — | — | May 9 |
| Zone 5B | Apr 18 | — | — | May 2 |
| Zone 6A | Apr 21 | — | — | May 5 |
| Zone 6B | Apr 10 | — | — | Apr 24 |
| Zone 7A | Apr 5 | — | — | Apr 19 |
| Zone 7B | Mar 28 | — | — | Apr 11 |
| Zone 8A | Mar 20 | — | — | Apr 3 |
| Zone 8B | Mar 12 | — | — | Mar 26 |
| Zone 9A | Feb 28 | — | — | Mar 14 |
| Zone 9B | Feb 15 | — | — | Mar 1 |
| Zone 10A | Feb 1 | — | — | Feb 15 |
| Zone 10B | Jan 15 | — | — | Jan 29 |
| Zone 11A | Jan 1 | — | — | Jan 15 |
Lima beans need warmth and patience, but the buttery, creamy beans you get are far superior to any canned version.
Good companions: corn, cucumbers, summer savory
Avoid planting near: onions, garlic, fennel
60-90 days; harvest when pods are plump but still green