Latin Name: Phaseolus lunatus

Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 60

Planting Method: Direct Sow

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 24 Inches

Color: Green

This early, drought tolerant bush lima bean was first found in 1883, growing on a roadside in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1888, Peter Henderson & Company introduced the bean to local gardeners, who appreciated it for being one of the first lima beans that needed no poles for support. Lima beans, named for the capital city of Peru where they were first discovered by the Spaniards, originated in the wilds of Central and South America. Archaeologists find that lima beans often appear painted on clay pottery, and apparently made up an important part of the diet of the ancient Incans. Traders and explorers brought the lima bean to their own countries, where it spread far and wide. Henderson Bush Beans originated

This favorite heirloom baby lima grows in a dependable bush form! Three or four great buttery tasting lima seeds grow in each pod and are light green when ripe or white when dry. Productive and popular for the home vegetable garden or processing.

GROWING INFORMATION

Sowing:

Lima beans cannot survive cold weather, so plant them well after the last frost when the soil temperature is at least 70 degrees. Plant heirloom Henderson bush lima bean seeds in a sunny location about 5" apart, "eye" side down, and 1" deep, in rows 24" to 36" apart. Germination may be slow. The soil should be enriched with compost or other organic matter, and deeply worked.

Growing:

Thin to 8" apart, but do not transplant. Do not over-water, since this can cause the seedlings to rot. Keep weeds under control before the plants start blossoming, since disturbing the plants while they are in bloom can cause the blossoms to drop off.

Harvesting:

The first harvest should be about 70 days after germination. Pick the beans when the pod begins to fill out and feels firm. Generally, the smaller the bean the more tender it will taste. Prompt picking actually increases the harvest, while leaving the pods on the plant too long results in tough beans.

Seed Saving:

Varieties of lima, runner, or fava beans will cross pollinate. To prevent cross pollination, isolate the plants you are saving for seed from these other varieties by at least a half a mile. Near the end of the growing season, allow the beans to dry completely on the vine; the pods will be light brown, and the seeds will rattle inside. Remove the seeds from the pods. After the seeds are completely dry, store heirloom Henderson bush lima bean seeds in a cool, dry place for up to a year.