• Fordhook Lima Bush Bean- Heirloom, Non GMO Seeds
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Phaseolus lunatus

Fordhook Lima Bush Bean- Heirloom, Non GMO Seeds

Who has childhood memories of Lima Beans?  Fordhook lima beans, also known as butterbeans, are one of the best large lima beans available.  With easy to shell pods these beans are perfect for cooking, freezing or canning. The beans can also be dried for winter storage.  One note about Lima beans, they should not be eaten raw.  They contain linamarin, which releases a cyanide compound when the seed is opened; however, cooking deactivates this compound.

Days to Maturity 75

Packet Contains 20 Seeds

$2.50 CAD
$3.50 CAD $2.50 CAD
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Growing Bush Beans - Benefits and Instructions

Benefits of Growing Bush Beans

  • Faster to grow to maturity than pole beans, do not require support
  • Legumes are light feeders and fix nitrogen into the soil
  • Nutritional Profile -  high in fibre, antioxidants like Vitamin C, quercetin
  • Dry beans store very well 
  • Use in:  Salads, steamed vegetable as a green bean or harvest bean seeds for storage

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green bean dish

 

Growing Instructions

Culture:

Sun Exposure: Choose a full sun location. Beans will grow in part sun but with less production,
Soil:  Bush beans require soil pH of 6.5-7.5, and well-drained soil. . Beans are light feeders; compost or well-rotted manures worked into the soil at the time of planting is sufficient.
Moisture: Keep well-watered as drought will result in tough or woody roots.
Planting:  Plant every two weeks, starting as early as soil can be worked until late.
Spacing: Good air circulation around plants is essential, especially for late shelling or dry type beans, as they are very susceptible to fungal diseases which prevail later in the season.  Plant 4- 6 bean plants per square foot of growing space using Square Foot Gardening Method.  
Sow seeds  Direct after risk of frost when soil warms to 18-24˚C. Sow 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches (bush beans) to 24 inches apart (shell beans). Reseed until mid-summer for a constant supply all season long.
Other Tips: Use inoculant at the time of planting to help boost soil fertility.*
(*Inoculant refers to a type of bacteria (Rhizobia bacteria) that grows on the roots of legumes (beans, peas, clover, alfalfa) to help produce nitrogen. Simply mix the inoculant in a bag with the seed until the seed is coated. Sow seeds and harvest an improved yield.)

 

Harvesting:

Use maturity days as an indicator. Harvest once the beans are smooth, firm and crisp. Keep plants constantly picked to ensure a fresh supply. Bean formation in the pod is a sure sign of over-maturity.

Storage/Preparation:

Beans are best pickled for off grid storage or stored dry in jars after the bean seeds are harvested

Companions:

Excellent companion for most vegetables except the onion family, basil, fennel, kohlrabi.

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