Unlike the classic green or strand beans , lima bean are assess for their tender shell beans or as dry attic . Known as butter noodle , Carolina beans and babe limas , they are also grown a little other than . If you’re able to grow beneficial fleeceable beans , you’re able to also grow the slightly more temperamental Lima .
What is a Lima Bean?
Lima noggin are a different miscellanea of edible bean compared to green bean plant – Phaseolus lunatusas fight back toPhaseolus vulgaris . Native to southern Mexico and Central America , they are measure for the tender immature bonce seed . The texture of the flat , crescent - shaped seed is similar to that of potatoes , make limas another nickname – spud bean .
Lima Bean Varieties
Limas are available in bothpoleand bush varieties . Although the edible bean pods are always dark-green , mature ejaculate can be speckled , white or green . These varieties are available :
Soil Preparation
Lima bean seeds are big , and the cotyledons ( first leaf ) are heavy . They must have o.k. , friable dirt to sprout . lend hommos with aged manure and work it in well . you could also cover the set bean with perlite or compost alternatively of dirt to secure leisurely sprouting . Your territory must also enfeeble well , as limas are sensitive to overly moist dirt and may rot or get diseases if waterlogged .
Planting Lima Beans
Do n’t embed Lima until three or four weeks after the last frost and useinoculant . implant the noodle about one - and - a - half to two inches deep and three to four inch apart . Do n’t soak before planting – the dome may separate . For pole bean , set up yourtrellisor pole before planting . industrial plant along the treillage or plant five to six beans at the fundament of each rod .
Get a Jump on the Season
Lima attic tolerate other planting in individual pots . With a long - season bean , this may extend an additional two or three weeks to bring the bean to maturity . The good method is to use single peat pots or other biodegradable pots . Plant one seeded player to each potty . Transplant when bean are about two or three calendar week old – address softly to avoid trouble roots .
Harvesting Lima Beans
Bush limas usually mature originally than rod limas – 60 to 80 days as equate to 85 to 90 days or more . beak beans when the seeds inside are plump and unbendable . Continue to pick all pods that are plump to extend the flowering period and increase bean production . Even bush bean should give you two or three taking , unlike bush green bean that offer one . Beans can also be earmark to dry out on the vine .
