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Beans · Phaseolus lunatus 'Henderson Bush'

Henderson Bush Lima

Henderson Bush Lima: 65-75 days to harvest, 7-14 days to germinate, 6-8 inches between plants, pH 6.0-7.0, hardy in zones 3-9. Fruit runs to about 3-4 inch pods, small lima beans. Give it full sun (6-8 hours) and 1-1.5 inches per week, avoid overwatering which can cause root rot water. It will crop in a container.

Beans
65-75days to harvest
7-14days to germinate
Z3–9USDA zones
Moderatedifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow 2-3 weeks after last frost when soil is consistently warm (65°F+). Plant 1-2 inches deep. Do not plant in cold, wet soil.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6-8 hours)
Water
1-1.5 inches per week, avoid overwatering which can cause root rot
Soil
Well-drained, sandy loam with good organic matter
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
6-8 inches
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Light green pods, cream-colored beans with light green tinge when fresh
Size
3-4 inch pods, small lima beans
Shape
Flat, curved pods with small, flat kidney-shaped beans
Flavour
Rich, buttery, and creamy with classic lima bean flavor, less starchy than large lima varieties

In the kitchen

Succotash, soups, stews, casseroles. Can be eaten fresh or dried for winter storage. Excellent with corn and in Southern cuisine.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Mexican bean beetle, lima bean pod borer, stink bugs
Diseases
Bacterial blight, downy mildew, root rot
Resistance
Some tolerance to downy mildew, generally hardy variety

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
2——June – AugustSeptember
3——June – JulySeptember – October
4——June – JulySeptember – October
5——May – JuneAugust – October
6——May – JuneAugust – September
7——April – JuneJuly – September
8——April – MayJuly – August
9——March – AprilJune – July
10——February – AprilMay – July
11——January – MarchApril – June
12——January – MarchApril – June
13——January – MarchApril – June

Companion planting

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

MarigoldRepels Mexican bean beetles and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips that commonly attack lima beans
Summer SavoryDeters Mexican bean beetles and may improve bean flavor and growth
CornProvides natural support structure and benefits from nitrogen fixation by beans
CarrotsHelps break up soil for bean roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
RadishesBreaks up compacted soil and deters cucumber beetles that may affect beans
NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting predatory insects
RosemaryRepels Mexican bean beetles and other bean pests with strong aromatic oils

Avoid

OnionsMay inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through allelopathic compounds
SunflowersCompetes heavily for nutrients and water, may shade out bush lima beans
FennelProduces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit growth of legumes including lima beans

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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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.

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Other beans with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Henderson Bush Lima suits these too.

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