When Are Lima Beans Ripe to Pick?

Bush Lima Bean Maturity

• Most bush-grown varieties of lima bean take between 70 and 75 days after seeding before they are ready to pick. A few special varieties may take a few extra days. Always read the data on your particular breed before estimating ripeness based on the days since seeding. The growing season is short enough that in most regions you can plant beans on several different weeks in order to ensure an ongoing crop at the end of the season.

Pole Lima Bean Maturity

• Lima beans that grow on pole-type plants take longer to mature than those grown on bushes. On average, pole-grown lima beans reach maturity about 10 to 15 days after maturity on bush lima beans. That means you can expect it to take between 85 to 110 days for pole-type beans to be ready for picking.

Inspection

• Growing times are only guidelines because the different growing conditions from year to year affect when it is the right time to pick lima beans. Gently squeeze the end of the lima bean pod. It should be spongy to the touch, and if you open it, it should be nearly full. If the beans start to turn yellow, they should have been already harvested and are getting over-ripe.

Commercial Picking

• When you farm lima beans commercially rather than in your garden, you don't have as much choice as to when to harvest. Farmers contract out their beans before seeding, and have to try to adhere to the harvesting date that they have specified in their contract. This is subject to slight change because of the weather. The rule for commercial lima bean growth is that if 10 percent of the pods are dry, it is a good time to harvest.