Fordhook 242 Heirloom Lima Bean Seeds

Fordhook 242 is a heirloom lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) prized for its honey-like flavor and easy shelling. A prolific, dependable producer, it is heat and drought tolerant once blooms set in cooler weather, making it a top all-around lima for Northern and Southern gardens.

At a glance

• Variety: Fordhook 242 lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus)
• Type: heirloom, non-GMO
• Traits: prolific, easy to shell, heat and drought tolerant
• Sun: full sun
• Spacing: 2 to 4 inches apart
• Planting depth: 1/2 to 1 inch
• Season: spring, summer, or fall

Best for

• Fresh shelling and butter beans
• Northern and Southern gardens
• Heat and drought-prone plots
• Reliable season-long harvests

How to grow

Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep in rows or solid-seeded, spacing plants 2 to 4 inches apart in a single row or solid wide row block. Plant in spring, summer, or fall and maintain a weed-free bed in full sun with adequate moisture. Note that lima blooms drop in hot weather, so plant in cooler, protected areas or time plantings so blooms set as cooler weather begins.

Flavor profile

Rich and buttery with a superior honey-like sweetness.

About Papaws Garden Supply

Papaw's Garden Supply is a family-run brand helping the next generation grow with nature, offering heirloom and non-GMO seeds for home gardeners.