When to plant lima bean in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant lima bean shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about April 19 in Fort Madison to May 8 in Spencer — below are local dates for 42 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | April 25 – May 16 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | May 4 – May 25 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | April 26 – May 17 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | May 6 – May 27 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | April 28 – May 19 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | April 30 – May 21 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | April 25 – May 16 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | May 3 – May 24 |
Lima Bean in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant lima bean in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to direct-sow lima bean spans roughly April 19 in Fort Madison to May 8 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the lima bean planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right lima bean planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does lima bean take to grow in Iowa?
Lima Bean takes about 65–90 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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