This species is often mistaken for other legumes that produce large, edible seeds in pods, including scarlet runner beans ( P. Put a few preventive measures in place, like good air circulation and well-draining soil, and they won’t usually require the use of any type of pesticides. What’s nice for beginner gardeners who are trying to go organic or at least limit their chemical use is the way these legumes tend to be disease- and pest-free. The plants benefit the entire garden plot by fixing nitrogen in the soil, and adding biomass if you till them under at season’s end. Strictly a warm-weather crop, this species originated in Peru, taking its name from that country’s capital. The bigger seeds, sometimes called “potato beans,” are starchier, while the “baby” types are more velvety.

These seeds vary in size from the quarter-inch and spherical butterpea varieties to the half-moon-shaped ‘Big Mama’ seeds that can exceed an inch in length. These aren’t just different, they’re sublime – a delicacy that doesn’t cost a lot, but is only reliably available when you’re a home gardener.Ĭoming up, I’ll detail all the steps you should follow to sow, grow, harvest, and cook with pole and bush varieties of P. I say this even if you despised that flavorless mush that passed for lima beans on the 1970s dinner table, or the limp ones languishing on a steam table in your school cafeteria. If you grow them yourself, I think you’ll learn to love them, too. I guess you can tell I’m a big fan of these legumes, and not just because I live in the south, where people consider frozen limas a standard side dish, and succotash made with corn, cream, and butter beans is a rite of summer. You should probably start with just one or two, but it’s great to know there are dozens of options for home gardeners who want to grow butter beans from seed, each with its own growing quirks and unique flavor profile. I currently have four in my own garden, one bush and three vining types.

They’re also super easy to dry to stock the pantry for the winter, or to save for planting next year’s crop of open-pollinated heirlooms.īecause the seeds are relatively inexpensive and far easier to find than fresh shellies, you’ll be able to grow lesser-known heirloom varieties to your heart’s content. When you plant your own, you have a reliable supply to cook fresh as a side dish, or use as an ingredient in bean salads, hummus, or summery soups. Steamed or boiled, butter beans from a nearby garden are delectable.Įven when you’re lucky enough to live near a farmers market or subscribe to a CSA box that includes fresh limas in season, they cost someone else dearly to grow and shell, and tend to sell out quickly. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products.

Lima bean plant images