Lima Bean Facts: When Are They Good to Grow?

Season

• All beans are warm season plants and grow only during the summer. Purdue University's Department of Horticulture notes that Lima beans are particularly sensitive to frost and require even more care in regard to air and soil temperatures. Plant Lima beans up to a month after the last frost to guarantee warm air and soil.

Site, Space and Sun

• Lima beans need bright sunshine and good airflow for optimum growth and pod production. Plant them in quick-draining sites with full sun and give the bean plot 10 to 12 square feet of space for multiple plantings. Lima beans require 6 to 10 inches in the row, with 3 to 4 feet between rows.

Soil and Nutrition

• Purdue University's Department of Agriculture recommends loose, fertile and quick-draining soil for best Lima bean growth, with generous fertilizer applications. Mix 5 to 6 inches of organic compost into the top 12 inches of soil to enrich it and encourage moisture retention. Mix 5-10-10 granular fertilizer into the soil, before planting, for more nutrition. Plant Lima bean seeds 1/2-inch deep.

Water and Mulch

• Beans require protection from weeds and drying, and thrive with 1 to 2 inches of organic mulch on the soil. Water beans with 2 inches of water every week to maintain soil moisture. Watering becomes particularly important during pod set; bean bushes can't produce pods without enough moisture.

Replanting

• Lima beans are long-season plants and require three to four months to grow to maturity and produce pods. Stack plantings to increase productivity but discontinue new plantings four months before the first fall frost. Lima bean plants fail when temperatures drop under 50 degrees Fahrenheit.