How to Grow Florida Speckled Pole Limas

Prepare the soil for planting by turning it over with a spade. Remove rocks, weeds, roots and other debris from the ground so the seeds can germinate. Wait until the soil reaches 65 degrees Fahrenheit to plant your limas, and take its temperature using a soil thermometer.

Dig a furrow that's 3/4 to 1 inch deep. Sow one Florida Butter Speckled lima bean seed every 3 to 4 inches. Push soil over the furrow to complete planting. Leave at least 22 inches of space between rows when planting.

Insert one garden stake or pole 6 inches into the ground for each plant, spacing the stake next to the seed. By planting the stakes along with the seeds you ensure the stakes don't interrupt the plant's root system.

Water the soil and maintain a moist soil until the seeds germinate. After germination, give lima beans 1/2 inch of water per week unless you receive adequate rainfall until the plant blossoms. After blossom, give 1/2 inch of water twice weekly until you harvest your speckled limas.

Fertilize the plants using a nitrogen fertilizer. Use 2 pounds of 5-10-15 for every 100 feet of garden bed, and apply to the soil 3 inches from the base of the plant once seedlings emerge. Apply 1/2 pound of ammonium nitrate per 100 feet of garden bed four weeks after the seeds germinate, and again two weeks later.

Train the plants to the stakes or poles by tying them loosely with twine or plastic garden tape. Continue to tie the plants to the stakes as they grow until the limas naturally twine around the poles.

Harvest the speckled limas when they mature, typically 80 days after planting. The pods should be large with fully formed seeds. If you prefer dried beans, leave the limas on the plant until the plant leaves and stems dry fully, then strip the dried beans from the pods.