Can You Grow Lima Beans in Partial Shade?

Ligtht Requirement

• As a warm-season crop, lima beans require temperatures of more than 65 degrees Fahrenheit for effective germination and plant development. All beans generally require full sun exposure for optimal growth. However, the climbing varieties of lima beans tolerate some amount of shade. But even then the plants need six or more hours of direct sun per day.

Required Temperature

• Beans are poorly intolerant of frost and require warm and moist soil and air temperature ranging between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for fast plant and pod development with early maturity. Lima beans are particularly sensitive to weather extremes and very hot weather over 95 degrees affects flower set and pod growth. Seed germination is poor in soil temperature of less than 50 degrees.

Soil Conditions

• Lima beans adapt well to a variety of soil types except the ones that tend to crust after irrigation and rain. This crust impedes seed germination. Preferred soil types include muck soils and sandy or clay loam with the recommended pH ranging between 5.5 to 6.5. Avoid planting in very alkaline soil as this affects growth.

Plant Spacing

• After selecting a site in a well-lit area with the right soil quality, space the plants adequately to ensure good light and sun circulation. Space the rows of bush type lima beans 2 to 2½ feet apart with three to four plants in every foot of the row. Plant the pole or climbing varieties in rows or hills spaced 3 to 4 feet apart. Provide sturdy trellises for pole beans for the plants to climb.