Christmas Lima Pole Bean (85-95 Days)

Christmas lima bean is an old variety dating back to the mid-1800s. Beans are extra large and one of the largest for the lima type. They can be used as both a green-shelled bean or a dried bean. Dried beans are colorful, and marbled with maroon and cream. They hold onto their colorful exterior even after cooking and have excellent flavor and a buttery texture. These heat-tolerant pole lima beans can grow to 10 feet, producing loads of 5-6” pods filled with quarter-sized beans.  30 seeds   PLANTING Phaseolus lunatus Germination: 4-10 days Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 75-85ºF Seed Sowing Depth: 1” deep  Outside Sowing: After the last frost with soil temperatures above 75ºF. Sow 2-3” apart. Planting seeds in soil under 70ºF results in poor germination.  How much does a packet plant: 8-12 foot single row  Harvest: When beans are plump and fill out the pods Tips: Lima beans need to grow in higher temperatures than bush beans. Cool summer temperatures result in low yields. Grow in light, well-drained soil, provide adequate, even moisture, especially at flowering time. Dry soil can result in low yields and fibrous pods. Do not over-fertilize Lima beans with nitrogen, which results in a surplus of foliage and low, delayed pod growth.