Grown King of the Garden Lima Pole?

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King of the Garden Lima Pole — Beans

90-95days to harvest

7-12days to germinate

Z4–10USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow after soil reaches 65°F and night temperatures stay above 60°F. Plant 2 inches deep with eye down.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture important
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with good organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 6-8 inches
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Large white to pale green beans
Size: 5-6 inch pods with 3-5 large beans
Shape: Broad, flat pods
Flavour: Rich, buttery, creamy texture with mild nutty flavor

In the kitchen

Succotash, butter bean dishes, soups, stews. Excellent fresh or dried.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Lima bean pod borer, bean leaf beetle, spider mites
Diseases: Downy mildew, bacterial blight, lima bean mosaic virus
Resistance: Some resistance to downy mildew

Planting calendar by USDA zone

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

Companion planting

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

CornProvides natural support structure for climbing beans, part of Three Sisters planting

SquashLarge leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, completes Three Sisters guild

MarigoldsRepel bean beetles and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial pollinators

NasturtiumsAct as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel bean beetles

CarrotsBeans fix nitrogen in soil which carrots utilize, carrots don't compete for same nutrients

RadishesBreak up soil for bean roots, mature quickly before beans need full space

Summer SavoryRepels bean beetles and aphids, may improve bean flavor and growth

CucumberBenefits from nitrogen fixed by beans, similar water requirements

Avoid

OnionsCan inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root compounds

GarlicAllelopathic compounds can stunt bean growth and reduce yields

SunflowersCompete for nutrients and water, can shade beans and reduce growth

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

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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 King of the Garden Lima Pole?

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