There are two types of lima beans: bush and pole or vine varieties. Bush types grow to about 2 feet tall (.6m) and tend to have smaller seeds; they bear more quickly than pole lima bean varieties. Pole lima beans have large seeds and can grow 10 to 12 feet (3-3.6m) high.
A lima bean will not grow into a tree. It is a vining annual, so may get several feet tall but will never get woody like trees and will die after a few months. If you planted a lima bean, then yes, there is a good chance that if it does not die before it is full grown, it will grow more lima beans.
How to grow lima beans?
There are both bush and pole varieties of lima beans available. Like green beans, the bush types will begin setting pods sooner. Pole beans will need sturdy support. The vines can easily grow 10 feet or more and become heavy with pods. Plant 4 to 6 seeds on each side of a trellis or teepee.
When to harvest lima beans varies from variety to variety, with 65 to 75 days being about the average amount of time it takes to make a crop. You can harvest your beans when the pods are bright green in color and well-filled. What makes a bean plant grow faster? The many varieties of bush beans average 57 days from planting to harvest time.
To plant lima beans in your own vegetable garden, check out the following steps: Choose a site. Lima beans need full sun to produce plump, green pods. Prepare the soil. Lima beans require loose, evenly moist, well-draining soil with a p. H between 6.0 and 6.8. A couple more items to look into are plant, companion plant, or set up a support system.
You will need a spot with full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days, to get the most yield from your lima beans. In addition to light for growth, full sun exposure also will help to keep the vines dry and less prone to fungal problems.
For continuous harvest through the growing season, sow succession crop bush lima beans every two weeks or follow bush lima beans with long-maturing pole lima beans. Beans can continue in the garden until the first frost in fall.
Are lima beans perennial or annual?
Lima beans are annuals, which means that they grow within a single season once a year. Find lima bean seeds at a local nursery or garden-supply store. Bush beans tend to mature more quickly. They are called “determinate” plants because they yield all of their beans at one time.
Do you need a trellis for lima beans?
Some lima beans are in the habit of climbing and need a trellis. Others, however, are wild beans that do not need much support. The pole lima beans need a strong support, as the vines can easily grow 3 meters or more and fill with pole. Plant four to six seeds on each side of a trellis.