Grown Fordhook 242 Lima Bush?

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Fordhook 242 Lima Bush — Beans

75-85days to harvest

7-12days to germinate

Z4–11USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

F1 hybridContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow when soil temperature is 65°F or warmer. Plant 1.5-2 inches deep. Can start indoors in short season areas.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6-8 hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture important
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with good organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8
Spacing: 6-8 inches
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Light green pods with white seeds
Size: 3-4 inches long, seeds 3/4 inch
Shape: Broad, flat pods with 3-4 large flat seeds
Flavour: Creamy, buttery, and rich with smooth texture

In the kitchen

Excellent fresh or dried, succotash, casseroles, soups, and traditional Southern dishes. Great for freezing.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Mexican bean beetle, lima bean pod borer, aphids
Diseases: Downy mildew, bacterial blight, pod rot
Resistance: Improved heat tolerance and disease resistance over older varieties

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	—	—	June – August	October – September
3	—	—	June – July	September – October
4	—	—	June – July	September – October
5	—	—	May – June	September – October
6	—	—	May – June	August – October
7	—	—	April – June	August – September
8	—	—	April – May	July – September
9	—	—	March – April	June – August
10	—	—	February – April	June – July
11	—	—	January – March	May – June
12	—	—	January – March	May – June
13	—	—	January – March	May – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

MarigoldRepels Mexican bean beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters bean beetles

CarrotsLoosen soil with deep roots, don't compete for nutrients, beans fix nitrogen for carrots

RadishesBreak up compacted soil, mature quickly before beans need space, deter bean beetles

LettuceProvides living mulch, conserves soil moisture, harvested before beans reach full size

SpinachCool-season crop that uses different nutrients, provides ground cover early in season

RosemaryRepels bean beetles, carrot flies, and cabbage moths with strong aromatic oils

Summer SavoryRepels bean beetles and aphids, traditionally grown with beans to improve flavor

Avoid

OnionsMay inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through allelopathic compounds

SunflowersCompete heavily for nutrients and water, create too much shade for lima beans

FennelInhibits growth of most garden plants including beans through allelopathic effects

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Protein (g): 1.97
Fat (g): 0.275
Carbohydrate (g): 7.41
Fibre (g): 3.01
Vitamin K (µg): 43.9
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.121
Calcium (mg): 40
Iron (mg): 0.652
Magnesium (mg): 28.2
Phosphorus (mg): 41.2
Potassium (mg): 290
Zinc (mg): 0.35

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Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the beans growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Fordhook 242 Lima Bush?

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