When to plant lima bean in Cheyenne, Wyoming

May 14 – May 28

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Cheyenne year

Climate basis: NOAA station Cheyenne Wfo, WY (USC00481676), 7 mi (12 km) from downtown Cheyenne (ZCTA 82001 centroid), elevation 6119 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow lima bean from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (May 14). One year in ten still freezes after May 28.

Last spring freezeMay 141-in-10 after May 28
First fall freezeOctober 11-in-10 before Sep 17
Frost-free season139 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°May 3Oct 10kills even hardy greens
USDA zone5b-15 to -10°F winter low not frost timing

The Cheyenne year

Direct-sow outdoorsMay 14 – May 28
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 28
Lima Bean in Cheyenne · freeze context from Cheyenne Wfo, WY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

May 14 – May 28

Illinois Extension's Hort Answers entry for Phaseolus vulgaris and P. lunatus says beans should be planted after all danger of frost is past, and Utah State's legume planting guide places the warm-season legumes — which it lists as snap or dry beans and lima bean — around the frost-free date; both point to the last-frost date itself, so the point rule opens the window at the anchor and runs the standard 14 days. Illinois' allowance for planting a week to 10 days early in warm soil was rejected as the earlier-starting, less frost-conservative reading. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 14). Utah State University Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an indoor seed-starting window for this crop.

Transplant outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: Assumes bush or pole lima sown directly in place; Maryland Extension notes limas need soil at 65°F for five days to germinate well, so gardeners in a cold spring should plant toward the later end of the window rather than at its opening.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (1)

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