Bean, Lima – Henderson’s Bush

Description

Henderson’s Bush Lima Bean (a.k.a. Henderson’s Baby Lima, Henderson’s Dwarf, Dwarf Sieva, and Earliest Bush Lima)

50 Seeds per pack

Days to Maturity: 65–85 Days

Sun Requirements: Full Sun

Botanical Name: (Phaseolus lunatus)

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The Henderson Bush Lima Bean was introduced to the public by the Peter Henderson & Company seed business in 1889, though its story begins earlier, when seeds were discovered along a roadside by a returning civil war soldier, in Virginia around 1883. This remarkable find led to one of the most important innovations in bean growing of the era. Unlike the pole limas that dominated gardens at the time, Henderson’s Bush was compact, hardy, and productive, quickly winning favor with home gardeners. It became an heirloom variety known for its bushy habit, reliability, and ease of growth—a true landmark in American seed history.

Plants grow sturdy and upright to 18–24 inches, producing flat green pods about 3 inches long, each filled with three to four small, creamy-white beans. Highly valued for its productivity, disease resistance, and ability to continue setting pods until frost, this lima is especially well-suited to home gardens and canning. The beans themselves are tender, buttery, and smooth—excellent enjoyed fresh as shell beans, canned, frozen, or dried for storage. Their delicate flavor complements hearty stews, casseroles, succotash, and simple side dishes alike.

Maturing in just 65–85 days, Henderson’s Bush is one of the earliest and most reliable heirloom lima beans, performing well even under heat, drought, or other adverse conditions. Beyond its fine flavor and consistent yields, it offers excellent nutrition—rich in B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron, manganese, copper, and phosphorus. A truly versatile heirloom, this variety continues to earn its place in American gardens generation after generation!

Planting Instructions for Henderson’s Bush Heirloom Lima Bean Seeds

When to Plant:
Henderson’s Bush Lima is a warm-season heirloom that should be planted after the danger of frost has passed. Wait until soil temperatures reach at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. If the soil is still cool at frost-free date, delay planting until it warms sufficiently, or use a greenhouse or hoop house for an earlier start. This compact, early-maturing bush variety thrives in both short and long growing seasons, producing abundantly in 65 to 85 days.

Where to Plant:
Choose a site with full sun, receiving at least six hours daily. Henderson’s Bush grows well in loamy, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Raised beds or ridged rows help in heavier soils. Rotate crops yearly and avoid planting beans in the same spot two years in a row to reduce disease risk.

How to Plant:
Direct-seed Henderson’s Bush Lima beans outdoors, as they do not transplant well. Plant seeds one to one and a half inches deep in warm, moist soil. Space seeds four to six inches apart in rows eighteen to thirty inches apart. Once seedlings are established, thin to about eight to twelve inches. Plants grow upright and compact, reaching 18 to 24 inches tall, and do not require staking or trellising.

Watering and Care:
Provide steady moisture—about one inch per week—especially during flowering and pod formation. Water at the soil line to avoid wetting foliage. Mulch once soil has warmed to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Henderson’s Bush Lima is heat- and drought-tolerant, but consistent watering will improve yields. Fertilization is seldom needed, though a light side dressing of compost mid-season can boost productivity.

Companions and Cautions:
Good companions include corn, cucumbers, celery, potatoes, and summer savory. Avoid planting near onions, garlic, or chives, which hinder bean root development. This heirloom is naturally hardy, but occasional pests such as aphids or bean beetles may appear. Diseases like rust or anthracnose are minimized with crop rotation, good spacing, and avoiding wet foliage.

Harvesting:

• For fresh eating: Harvest pods when they are plump, green, and still tender—about three inches long with three to four small beans inside. Regular picking encourages continued pod set until frost.

• For dry beans: Leave pods on the plant until they turn tan and brittle, and seeds rattle inside. If frost or heavy rain threatens, pull entire plants and hang indoors to finish drying.

Storage and Preservation:
Unshelled pods will keep in the refrigerator for one to two weeks. Beans may be shelled and blanched for freezing, or pressure-canned for long-term storage. Dried beans should be fully hardened and stored in airtight containers or seed saving envelopes in a cool, dark, dry location. Properly stored beans remain good for cooking for up to two years.

Seed Saving:
Henderson’s Bush is self-pollinating, but cross-pollination may occasionally occur. To maintain pure seed, separate from other lima bean varieties by at least twenty feet. Save seed only from healthy, disease-free plants. Choose pods that are fully mature and free from insect damage. Shell beans promptly after harvest and dry them in a single layer until hard. Store in airtight containers or seed saving envelopes in a cool, dry place—refrigeration is ideal. Properly stored seed remains viable for two to four years.

End of Season Clean-Up:
At the end of the season, remove vines and dispose of them away from the garden, especially if disease was present. Do not compost infected material. In areas where beans are grown repeatedly, check roots for galling from root-knot nematodes and rotate to new ground if found.

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