Fordhook 242 Untreated Bush Lima Bean

BEANS - LIMA

CULTURE: 2 oz/57 g (approx. 50 seeds) sows 20 ft/6 m of row 1 lb/454 g will plant 100-150 ft/31-46 m depending on seed size which varies considerably.

PLANTING: Space rows 30 in/76 cm apart, sow beans 5 in/13 cm apart and 1.5 in/4 cm deep. Thin vines to 8 or 12 in./20 or 31 cm apart - they need lots of room for best results. White seed will not germinate in cold, wet soil. Delay planting until after snap beans - about June 15th in Northern areas. Any attempt to sow Limas before June 1st. is usually very risky. Organic growers in northern areas should never sow untreated seed before the last week in June.

GERMINATION: A minimum soil temp. of 65°F/18°C and 5 days - are required for germination.

LOCATION: Pick a nice sunny location, shade will limit growth. Limas will succeed in almost any type of soil, but prefer sandy loam that is slightly acid. Apply fertilizer in bands or cultivator marks - 2 in./5 cm deep and 3 in./8 cm. Away from the seeded row. Do not tough the seed with fertilizer.

CULTIVATION: Do not cultivate right after a heavy rain, or too early in the morning - when plants are wet. This causes bean rust, anthracnose or blight - and helps to spread bean mosaic.

HARVESTING: Limas should be picked rapidly as they mature. They are quite different from Snap Beans, and must be harvested at a specific date. Freezing: Beans must be shelled from pods, washed and sorted to size. Blanching time: 2 - 3 min. according to seed size. Cool quickly, drain, pack and quick freeze.

YIELD: Approx. 2 bushels per 100 ft./ 31 m. row if grown properly.