King of the Garden Lima Pole
Phaseolus lunatus 'King of the Garden'
The undisputed champion of lima beans, this vigorous pole variety produces enormous pods filled with large, buttery lima beans that are considered the finest flavored available. Dating back to the 1880s, this heirloom climber delivers impressive yields and sets the standard for what a premium lima bean should taste like.
Harvest
90-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
4–10
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Moderate
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for King of the Garden Lima Pole in USDA Zone 7
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King of the Garden Lima Pole · Zones 4–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | October – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | June – August |
Complete Growing Guide
King of the Garden Lima Pole requires careful site selection and timing to reach its legendary potential. Choose your sunniest location with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight, as insufficient light leads to poor pod development and reduced yields.
Prepare soil in fall by working in 3-4 inches of aged compost or well-rotted manure. These heavy feeders demand rich, loose soil with excellent drainage—standing water will rot the large seeds before germination. Test soil pH and adjust to 6.0-6.8 for optimal nutrient uptake.
Never rush planting. Wait until soil temperature reaches 65°F at 4-inch depth and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 60°F. Cold soil causes seed rot and stunted growth. Plant seeds 2 inches deep with the eye facing downward, spacing them 6 inches apart along your trellis. Install sturdy 8-foot poles or trellises before planting—these vigorous climbers can reach 10 feet and produce heavy pods.
Skip starting indoors unless you have a greenhouse. Lima beans hate root disturbance, and transplant shock significantly delays maturity. If you must start indoors in short-season areas, use biodegradable pots and transplant the entire pot.
Fertilize at planting with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer, then switch to low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer once flowering begins. Too much nitrogen produces lush foliage but few pods. Side-dress with compost monthly throughout the growing season.
Train young vines onto supports when they reach 6 inches tall. These beans climb counterclockwise, so guide them accordingly. Mulch heavily around the base to retain moisture and keep roots cool—hot soil stress causes flower drop.
Avoid overhead watering once plants begin flowering, as wet blossoms often fail to set pods. Water deeply at soil level, providing 1-1.5 inches weekly. Inconsistent watering causes pods to abort or develop poorly filled beans. In zones 8-9, plant in partial afternoon shade to prevent heat stress during peak summer.
Harvesting
Edibility: EDIBLE PARTS: Toxicity is only partially destroyed by cooking; therefore do not cook the ornamental, striped beans grown for the flowers and foliage
Storage & Preservation
Fresh lima beans keep best in the refrigerator still in their pods, lasting 5-7 days in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer. Shell just before use to maintain maximum sweetness and prevent the beans from becoming mealy.
For freezing, blanch shelled beans in boiling water for 2 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portions. Frozen lima beans maintain quality for 8-10 months. King of the Garden's large size makes it excellent for this preservation method.
To save for dried beans, leave pods on the plant until they turn brown and papery, usually 3-4 weeks after fresh eating stage. Shell and cure in a warm, dry location for two weeks before storing in airtight containers. These dried beans keep for years and provide exceptional flavor for winter soups and stews, developing an even richer, nuttier taste than when fresh.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropics
Considerations
- -Toxic (Roots, Seeds): High severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Corn
Provides natural support structure for climbing beans, part of Three Sisters planting
Squash
Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, completes Three Sisters guild
Marigolds
Repel bean beetles and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial pollinators
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel bean beetles
Carrots
Beans fix nitrogen in soil which carrots utilize, carrots don't compete for same nutrients
Radishes
Break up soil for bean roots, mature quickly before beans need full space
Summer Savory
Repels bean beetles and aphids, may improve bean flavor and growth
Cucumber
Benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans, similar water requirements
Keep Apart
Onions
Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root compounds
Garlic
Allelopathic compounds can stunt bean growth and reduce yields
Sunflowers
Compete for nutrients and water, can shade beans and reduce growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Some resistance to downy mildew
Common Pests
Lima bean pod borer, bean leaf beetle, spider mites
Diseases
Downy mildew, bacterial blight, lima bean mosaic virus