Fordhook 242 lima bean plants filling a raised bed behind wire support — from BlackOwnedSeeds.com.

Fordhook 242 Lima Beans Heirloom Seeds

$3.50 $4.00
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Fordhook 242 lima bean plants filling a raised bed behind wire support — from BlackOwnedSeeds.com.
H
B FS
  • Fordhook 242 lima bean plants filling a raised bed behind wire support — from BlackOwnedSeeds.com.
    H
    B FS
  • Lima bean plants with broad green leaves and small pale flowers.
    H
    B FS
  • A bowl of shelled pale green lima beans on a wooden table.
    H
    B FS
  • Fordhook 242 lima bean plants filling a raised bed behind wire support — from BlackOwnedSeeds.com.
  • Lima bean plants with broad green leaves and small pale flowers.
  • A bowl of shelled pale green lima beans on a wooden table.
Fordhook 242 Lima Beans Heirloom Seeds

Fordhook 242 Lima Beans Heirloom Seeds

$3.50 $4.00

Fordhook 242 is a bush lima bean grown for large, pale seeds. Let the pods fill, shell the beans and cook them before serving.

Packet: 20 seeds

Planting at a glance

  • Season: Warm season
  • Start: Direct sow
  • Seed depth: 1–1½ inches
  • Germination: Allow about 8–14 days in warm soil; avoid cold, wet sowing conditions
  • Final spacing: Thin bush limas to about 3–6 inches; rows about 18 inches apart
  • Light: Full sun
  • Harvest planning: Typical crop window: 60–80 days from direct sowing

When to plant

Plant outdoors after frost danger passes and the soil has warmed. In short-season areas, count back from your intended outdoor planting date for indoor starts. South Florida outdoor window: September–April.

How to plant

  1. Prepare loose, well-drained soil or a clean seed-starting mix. Direct sow.
  2. Sow 1–1½ inches deep. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Then water when the soil needs it, allowing excess water to drain.
  3. Thin or transplant to the listed final spacing. Give seedlings sufficient light and check moisture as roots establish.

How to harvest

Pick pods when seeds are full but still tender, then shell. Cook lima beans before eating.

Aunt E’s tip: Do not use the snap-bean harvest cue: limas need their seeds to fill before shelling.

Growing notes and sources

Timing is a planning range, not a guaranteed harvest date. Temperature, moisture, variety and season affect the result. Count from the sowing or transplanting point stated above.

UF/IFAS planting guide · Iowa State germination guide

Grow with Aunt E

Seed light and growing light: Cover these seeds at the depth on this listing; they do not need surface light to germinate. After sprouting, the leaves need good growing light.

Read the beginner growing guide · Compare the types and varieties · Get the germination instructions

Seed badges at a glance

H
Heirloom
★
Hybrid
OG
Organic seed
CT
Cool season
WS
Warm season
FS
Full sun
P
Container friendly
SS
Small space
CC
Cut and come again
FH
Frequent harvest
LG
Needs light to germinate
SP
Spicy / hot
More seed codes
IN
Start indoors
SH
Partial or afternoon shade
ST
Support or trellis helpful
D
Dwarf
B
Bush habit
V
Vining or climbing
SV
Shorter vines
SF
Small fruit
LC
Large container
F
Fast harvest
FL
Flowers
PW
Pollinator interest
PL
Check pollination needs
MX
Seed mix
DR
Deep root space
WD
Well-drained soil
DL
Daylength sensitive
LS
Long growing season
TR
Tree crop

CC means cut and come again; FH means frequent harvest. Follow the crop instructions for what to harvest and when. OG appears only for documented organic seed. Codes are shortcuts; product details explain growing needs.

Open the gardening dictionary

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