How do you grow lima beans?

Grow lima beans by choosing a sunny site in which to plant them, giving them plenty of room to grow, keeping the soil moist, adding support for vine varieties and composting the soil. You need lima bean seeds, black plastic, row covers, a garden trowel, compost, mulch and water.

1. Choose a good planting site

   Choose a planting site that has full sun exposure and a steady 70-degree-Fahrenheit temperature. The soil needs to be well-drained and moderately rich with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.

2. Prepare the planting site

   Spread black plastic over the planting site to warm the soil up the 65 degrees Fahrenheit before planting.

3. Plant the seeds

   Dig 1- to 2-inch deep holes for the seeds, spacing the holes at least 4 inches apart.

4. Add row covers

   Place row covers over the seeds to protect them from cold weather.

5. Keep the soil moist

   Give the seeds 1 inch of water per week prior to sprouting, making sure that the soil is always moist. Lay mulch around the plants to retain moisture, especially in areas with dry weather.

6. Support the beans

   Add trellis or teepee supports to vine varieties such as pole beans.

7. Compost the soil

   Halfway through the growing season, compost the soil to encourage growth.