How to Plant Lima Bean Seeds

Remove the weeds, grass and debris from the planting area in full sun. Loosen the soil with a shovel to the depth of 12 inches. Remove any rocks and large sticks that are uncovered. Break large dirt clumps up with the edge of a garden hoe.

Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of organic material like compost, peat moss or manure over the soil. Mix this soil amendment into the loose soil. Sprinkle the planned-row areas with 1 cup per every 50 feet of row with 5-10-10 slow-release fertilizer. Mix the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. Rake the soil level and water the area to settle the soil.

Create rows with the edge of a gardening hoe that are 1/2 to 1 inch deep. Space the rows 22 to 35 inches apart. Plant small-beans varieties of lima beans closer together than large-bean types.

Place a lima bean seed in the row every 3 to 4 inches. Once all the bean seeds are in the row, drive wooden sticks into the dirt at the end of each row with a hammer. This way you remember where the rows are to prevent walking on them.

Cover the lima bean seeds with 1/2 to 1 inch of sand, peat moss, vermiculite or compost. This prevents the development of a soil crust, which hinders the emergence of lima bean sprouts. Sprinkle the area with water to settle the soil.