Christmas lima bean is an old variety dating back to the mid-1800s. Beans are extra large and one of the largest for the lima type. They can be usedas both a green-shelled bean or a dried bean. Dried beans arecolorful,andmarbled with maroon and cream. They hold onto their colorful exterior even after cooking and have excellent flavor and a buttery texture. These heat-tolerant pole lima beans can grow to 10 feet, producing loads of 5-6 pods filled with quarter-sized beans.

30 seeds

PLANTING

Phaseolus lunatus

Germination:4-10 days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 75-85F

Seed Sowing Depth:1 deep

Outside Sowing: After the last frost with soil temperatures above 75F. Sow 2-3 apart. Planting seeds in soil under 70F results in poor germination.

How much does a packet plant:8-12foot single row

Harvest:When beans are plump and fill out the pods

Tips: Lima beans need to grow in higher temperatures than bush beans. Cool summer temperatures result in low yields. Grow in light, well-drained soil, provide adequate, even moisture, especially at flowering time. Dry soil can result in low yields and fibrous pods. Do not over-fertilize Lima beans with nitrogen, which results in a surplus of foliage and low, delayed pod growth.