Lima Bean – King of the Garden

Description

King of the Garden Lima Bean (a.k.a. Platt’s Improved, Platt King Lima, Schwill’s Monstrous Pole)

25 Seeds per pack

Days to Maturity: 85–106 Days

Sun Requirements: Full Sun

Botanical Name: Phaseolus lunatus

An heirloom classic introduced in 1883 by Frank S. Platt of New Haven, Connecticut, King of the Garden is among the most famous pole lima beans ever grown. Also known historically as Platt’s Improved, Platt King Lima, and Schwill’s Monstrous Pole, this variety was developed through careful selection from the older Large White lima. Its popularity quickly spread, with many seed houses adopting and renaming it thanks to its outstanding quality and productivity.

The vigorous pole vines reach eight to ten feet tall—sometimes stretching to twelve—and demand sturdy support. They are long-season bearers, continuing to set pods until frost, making them a top choice for those with warm, extended summers. The pods average five to eight inches long (some reaching nine inches) and typically hold four to six large, smooth, cream-colored beans.

Celebrated for their rich, buttery, and velvety flavor, King of the Garden beans are often described as nutty or even honey-like. They cook up tender and full-bodied, pairing well with meats, herbs, or simply butter and salt. While commonly grown as a dry bean, they are also excellent for shelling when fresh, or for freezing and canning.

With its abundant harvests, vigorous vines, delicious buttery flavor, and rich supply of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, King of the Garden truly earns its name in the garden.

Planting Instructions for King of the Garden Lima Bean Seeds

When to Plant:
King of the Garden is a warm-season heirloom pole lima that must be planted after the danger of frost has passed. Wait until soil temperatures reach at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit for dependable germination. If soils are still cool at the frost-free date, delay planting until they warm, or consider starting in a greenhouse or hoop house. As a large-seeded pole type, King of the Garden matures in about 80 to 90 days, continuing to produce until frost.

Where to Plant:
Choose a location with full sun, receiving at least six hours of direct light daily. These beans prefer rich, loamy, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. In heavy soils, raised beds or ridged rows provide better drainage. Practice crop rotation yearly and avoid planting in the same bed two seasons in a row to minimize disease issues.

How to Plant:
Direct-seed outdoors, as lima beans do not transplant well. Plant seeds one to one and a half inches deep in warm, moist soil. Space seeds two to six inches apart in rows spaced eighteen to thirty-six inches apart. Provide sturdy poles, trellises, or fencing for the vigorous climbing vines, which grow eight to ten feet tall. For quicker sprouting, seeds may be soaked in water for one to two hours before planting, but avoid longer soaking to prevent splitting. Thin seedlings to ten to twelve inches apart for strong growth and airflow.

Watering and Care:
Maintain even moisture, supplying about one inch of water per week, especially during flowering and pod development. Water at the soil line rather than overhead to keep foliage dry. Apply mulch once the soil has warmed to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. King of the Garden thrives in steady warmth, ideally between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and requires support throughout the season. Fertilization is rarely necessary, but a side dressing of compost midseason can extend pod production.

Companions and Cautions:
Good companions include corn, cucumbers, potatoes, and summer savory. Avoid planting near onions, garlic, or chives, as they can inhibit growth. Common pests include aphids, Mexican bean beetles, and spider mites. Rotate crops and allow space between vines to reduce the risk of rust, anthracnose, or bacterial blight.

Harvesting:

• For fresh eating: Pick pods when they are three to six inches long and plump, before they begin to yellow. Frequent harvesting encourages continued pod set.

• For dry storage: Leave pods on the vine until they are fully mature, brown, and crisp, and seeds rattle when shaken. If frost or wet weather threatens before pods are fully dry, pick pods or pull whole vines and hang them upside down indoors to finish drying.

Storage and Preservation:
Fresh pods will store in the refrigerator for one to two weeks. Shell beans may be blanched and frozen, or pressure-canned for long storage. Fully dried beans should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark, and dry place, where they keep for up to two years.

Seed Saving:
King of the Garden is self-pollinating but may rarely cross with nearby limas. Separate varieties by at least twenty feet to maintain purity. Save seed from healthy, mature plants, selecting pods free of pest damage. Dry shelled beans completely in a single layer until hard. Store in airtight jars or seed saving envelopes in a cool, dry location. Properly dried seeds remain viable for two to four years.

End of Season Clean-Up:
After harvest, remove vines to reduce overwintering pests and diseases. Avoid composting diseased plants. In beds where beans are repeatedly grown, inspect roots for nematode galls. If present, rotate crops or follow nematode management practices before replanting beans in the same soil.

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