How to Grow Baby Lima Bean 'Baby Fordhook'

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Baby Lima Bean 'Baby Fordhook'

Phaseolus lunatus var. sieva

vegetable

Baby Fordhook is a bush variety of lima bean that produces compact plants loaded with small, tender lima beans. Known for its prolific yields and relatively short growing season, it's ideal for home gardeners with limited space. The beans are sweet, buttery, and perfect for fresh eating or freezing.

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Example Baby Lima Bean 'Baby Fordhook' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Baby Lima Bean 'Baby Fordhook'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Baby Lima Bean 'Baby Fordhook'
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Baby Lima Bean 'Baby Fordhook' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for best bean production

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. More frequent watering needed during flowering and pod development. Reduce watering slightly once pods begin filling to concentrate flavors.

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Spacing: 6 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-70 days from planting to first harvest

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Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with moderate fertility

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or well-rotted manure Perlite or sand for drainage if soil is heavy Avoid excessive nitrogen (promotes foliage over beans)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown as annual in zones 2-4 with warm season timing

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Germination & Emergence

7-10 days

Seeds sprout and first cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge above soil. Plant develops initial root system.

Keep soil warm (70-85°F ideal) and consistently moist. Thin seedlings if direct seeded; maintain optimal spacing. Protect from birds and slugs.

Vegetative Growth

2-3 weeks

Plant develops true leaves and bushy foliage structure. Stem becomes woody and plant reaches 1.5-2 feet tall.

Water regularly and maintain even moisture. Support with light mulch (1-2 inches) to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Monitor for early pest activity.

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Plant produces delicate clusters of small white or pale pink flowers along branches. Flowers typically appear at leaf nodes.

Maintain consistent watering—critical during this stage as flower drop occurs with moisture stress. Provide full sun exposure. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer. Light weekly watering with balanced fertilizer can support bloom.

Pod Development & Filling

3-4 weeks

Flowers are pollinated and small green pods form and elongate. Pods develop plump, bean-filled appearance over 2-3 weeks.

Water deeply and regularly; this is the most critical period for yield. Beans may appear slightly wrinkled initially, then fill out as they mature. Light side-dressing with compost can support productivity.

Maturity & Harvest

4-6 weeks harvesting period

Pods reach full size (approximately 2-3 inches long) and beans inside become plump. Pods may show slight yellowing or browning at tips when mature.

Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Pick every 2-3 days at peak tenderness for best flavor. Plants can produce for 4-6 weeks with successive picking.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Squash Pumpkin Cucumber Marigold Nasturtium Parsley Carrot Radish

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Onion Garlic Chives Other alliums

Common Pests

Hand-pick adults and egg clusters; use row covers on seedlings; neem oil spray; encourage predatory insects; resistant varieties available
Increase humidity with misting; strong water spray to dislodge; neem oil or sulfur spray; predatory mites; avoid excessive heat stress
Spray with strong water stream; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage ladybugs and parasitic wasps; reflective mulch
Store dried beans in freezer for 1 week post-harvest; sealed storage containers; diatomaceous earth; crop rotation away from stored beans
Improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; sulfur dust or spray; neem oil; remove infected leaves; plant in full sun
Remove infected leaves promptly; avoid overhead watering; improve air circulation; copper fungicide; resistant varieties; crop rotation

Uses

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Fresh & Frozen Cooking

Culinary

Baby lima beans are sweet and buttery, excellent steamed, sautéed, or added to soups and stews. They freeze exceptionally well for year-round use and retain their tender texture when properly blanched and frozen. [source]

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Succotash & Regional Dishes

Culinary

Baby lima beans are a classic ingredient in succotash (combined with corn and bell peppers) and traditional Southern and Latin American cuisine. Their mild flavor complements both light and rich preparations. [source]

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Plant-Based Protein & Fiber

Medicinal

Lima beans are rich in plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and contain compounds with potential health benefits including resistant starch. They support digestive health and provide sustained energy. [source]

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Seed Saving & Storage

Household

Mature, dried Baby Fordhook beans can be saved for replanting next season or stored as a shelf-stable staple food. Properly dried and stored beans remain viable for 2-3 years. [source]

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Nitrogen Fixation & Soil Improvement

Wildlife

Like all legumes, lima beans form symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria to fix atmospheric nitrogen, naturally enriching soil for following crops. Excellent for crop rotation and sustainable garden practices. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest pods when they are full but still tender and bright green, typically 12-15 days after flowering. Pods should snap easily when bent. Pick every 2-3 days to encourage continued flowering. For fresh eating, harvest when pods are still tender; for freezing, harvest at full maturity but before pods yellow. Shell beans by gently squeezing pod to pop beans out. Morning harvest after dew dries yields best flavor.

Fun Facts

🌱 Baby Fordhook was developed specifically for home gardeners and has remained a top-rated variety since its introduction; it's more compact than pole lima beans but more productive than many other bush varieties.
🌱 Lima beans contain a small amount of cyanogenic compounds in raw form, which break down completely with cooking or proper blanching, making them safe and delicious to eat.
🌱 The name 'lima' comes from Lima, Peru, where these beans originated over 5,000 years ago and were a staple of ancient Andean civilizations.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Compost Full Sun Mulch True Leaves

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