Christmas Lima beans, also known as Speckled Limas, are a pole variety with large, flat seeds that display crimson splotches. These beans are excellent for green shell or dry use and offer a slightly sweet, chestnut-like flavor. Growing up to 9 feet tall, Christmas Limas are ideal for trellising and provide a productive, eye-catching addition to the garden, perfect for holiday dishes and special occasions.
Key Features
- Chestnut Flavor: Slightly sweet and rich.
- Large Seeds: Striking crimson splotches.
- Ideal for Special Dishes: Perfect for festive meals.
Lima Bean Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow lima bean seeds outdoors after the last frost date, once the soil has warmed to at least 65°F (18°C), typically in late spring.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Lima beans prefer well-draining, moderately fertile soil.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6–8 inches, incorporating compost or a balanced fertilizer to improve nutrient levels and drainage.
- Planting Seeds:
- For bush lima beans, sow seeds 1–1.5 inches deep, spacing them 4–6 inches apart in rows.
- For pole lima beans, sow seeds 1–1.5 inches deep, spacing them about 6 inches apart. Provide a sturdy trellis or other support structure, as pole varieties will climb.
- Thinning: Not typically required, as seeds are spaced appropriately for mature plants.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically takes 7–10 days. Once established, water evenly, providing about 1 inch per week, especially during flowering and pod formation.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Lima beans are generally sown directly outdoors. However, if starting indoors, sow seeds 2–3 weeks before the last frost date.
- Containers: Use deep pots to allow for root growth and minimize root disturbance during transplanting.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds 1 inch deep, placing 1 seed per pot.
- Cover lightly with soil mix and water gently.
- Germination:
- Maintain a temperature of 70–75°F (21–24°C) for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 7–10 days.
- Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil temperatures are consistently above 65°F (18°C) and after the last frost. Space bush plants 4–6 inches apart and pole plants 6 inches apart, providing support for pole varieties.
General Care Tips for Lima Beans
- Sunlight: Provide full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering and pod formation. Mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
- Fertilizing: Lima beans are light feeders. Enrich soil with compost at planting; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can reduce bean production.
- Weeding: Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture. Mulching helps control weed growth and maintain soil moisture.
- Supporting Pole Lima Beans: Pole varieties require a sturdy trellis or other support structure for vertical growth, improving air circulation and making harvesting easier.
