Eastland lima beans are a short-season baby lima variety that performs well in cooler soil conditions. With 3-inch pods filled with small, white flattened seeds, Eastland beans are ideal for regions with shorter growing seasons. They offer a tender texture and mild flavor, making them perfect for fresh or dried use in stews, salads, and classic lima bean recipes. Eastland is also tolerant to downy mildew, ensuring healthy, productive plants.
Key Features
- Short-Season Variety: Suitable for cooler regions.
- Downy Mildew Resistant: Strong plant health.
- Tender Texture: Smooth and mild taste.
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.
