German Butterbean Lima Bean (Pkt)

Seed Savers Exchange Packet

About- (Phaseolus lunatus) Seed Savers Exchange staff gave this vigorously climbing lima bean top marks! Its sweet, moist, and juicy beans have a distinctive, buttery taste and a smooth, creamy texture. Seed Savers Exchange received this variety in 1994 from William Rastetter of Indiana, who in turn acquired it sometime before 1968 from a friend named Flossie (Canfield) Drake, also of Indiana. These lima beans were likely grown by Flossie's mother, Margaret (Mendel) Canfield, in Dearborn County, Indiana, in the late 1800s. This variety matured late when grown at Seed Savers Heritage Farm in northeast Iowa.

When and Where to Plant- Lima beans thrive in hot temperatures. Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed.

Care and Harvest- Grows best in a soil with a pH between 6 and 7, and just a light application of garden fertilizer. Water at ground level to reduce the probability of disease. For green shell stage, pick beans when the seeds have formed and the pod is firm when squeezed. For dried beans, allow the pods to dry on the stalk before picking.

Type- Pole Lima

Planting Depth- 1-1 1/2"

Seed Spacing- 3-6"

Spacing Between Rows- 24-36"

Days to Germination- 7-18

Plant Spacing- 6-12"

Days to Maturity- 60-79

Seeds per Pkt.- 25