How to Grow Lima Beans

Prepare the soil. Start by fertilizing with a 5-10-10 mixture, or try an organic variety of fertilizer for vegetables available at local and online retailers.

Build your supports. There are a few ways to support lima bean plants. First you can set two poles 2 feet apart tied together at the top and a pole placed the length of the row to stabilize the support. You could also use wire mesh or a pole with string and pegs could be used.

Sow the seeds. Plant your lima beans at about the same time you plant other warm-loving plants such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Plant the lima bean seeds about 1 inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart. Set the rows about 2 feet apart.

Thin your seedlings only if every lima bean seed germinates. They should be spaced about 4 inches apart. If using the pole method of support, you will need to plant six seeds at each pole and thin to three or four plants each.

Cultivate your lima bean plants shallowly, only during dry weather and water the roots at ground level. Do this in the morning so the sun has a chance to dry the moisture that falls on the plant's leaves. Lima beans are particularly sensitive to mildew and other diseases. These steps help to eliminate possible contamination from the soil and the problem of too much moisture left on the leaves.

Harvest when the lima bean pod is round and firm and the beans are visible. Pick throughout the season because mature beans on the vine will discourage new ones from growing. At the end of the season, let the beans dry before picking them and sterilize them for about an hour in a very low temperature oven, then store.