*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Fresh beans can be frozen or stored in a refrigerator for a week. During the dry stage, pick dry lima beans when the pods are dry, faded in color, and brittle and seeds inside are hard. To pick beans during the shelling stage, pick when the pod has changed color and the beans have been plumped, but before the pods and seeds have dried. Lima beans can be picked in the shelling stage or the dry stage. Beans are produced 2-3 per pod and are a delight to shell, like opening a Christmas present. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. Plants grow vigorously to 10 ft and yield well even in extreme heat. If spots appear on leaves or bean pods, treat the plant with an approved fungicide. Before using a pesticide, read the label and always follow cautions, warnings and directions.ĭiseases: Diseases may be a possibility during cool, wet weather. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options. Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Apply by scattering between the rows about 1/2 cup of fertilizer for every 10 feet of row. When hoeing and pulling weeds, try not to dig too deep to prevent the plant's roots from damage.įertilizing: As the plants begin to flower and set beans, you may optionally apply fertilizer to help plants produce more beans. Weeding: The roots of beans grow near the soil surface. Try not to let the soil dry out while the beans are blooming or the blooms will drop and yields will be decreased. Watering: Water the plants about once a week in dry weather. Within-Row Spacing: 1-2 inches, thin to 4-6 inches After the beans have sprouted, thin the plants to 4-6 inches apart. When the seeds mature, your lima bean plant is going to die. You have to continue picking pods as early as they turn plump for extending flowering and having new pods.

You need to pick lima beans when the pods are firm and plump. Planting in moist soil is best for seeds to germinate and emerge quickly. After sowing, bush lima varieties will be set to harvest in 60-80 days, while pole varieties take around 85-90 days. Plant bush beans 1 inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart in the rows that are 2½ to 3 feet apart. In the Fall, plant beans 10 to 12 weeks before the first expected frost. In the Spring, plant beans after all danger of frost has passed. As more pods have dried out, the little handful or beans in the kitchen continues to grow. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. It is best to do this when the soil is dry enough to not stick to garden tools. Till the soil 8-10 inches deep and rake several times to break up large clods.

Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates. **Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. *Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Crisply flavorful, easy-shelling beans are excellent for freezing. Do not over-fertilize Henderson Bush Lima Bean with nitrogen, which results in a surplus of foliage and low, delayed pod growth.Fordhook 242 Lima Beans are an All-America Selections winner, producing massive yields of light-green 4-5 inch pods, each packed with 3–5 large beans. Dry soil can result in low yields and fibrous pods. Grow in light, well-drained soil, provide adequate, even moisture, especially at flowering time. Cool summer temperatures result in low yields. Tips: Lima beans need to grow in higher temperatures than bush beans. Harvest: When beans are plump and fill out the pods How much does a packet plant: 15-20 foot single row Planting in soil under 70✯ results in poor germination. Outside Sowing: After the last frost with soil temperatures above 75✯. Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 75-85✯ It requires more space than bush green beans but is still remarkably compact. This is also the earliest and most prolific. The perennial type is an undetermined, ascending, and creeping plant, reaching 200600 cm high, having axillary flowering.Its roots are large, up to 2 m long, swollen, and fleshy. The Henderson Bush Lima Bean is the most common bush Lima. Lima bean, a herbaceous species, possesses two of growth forms.

Lima bean pod