BEAN Lima Climbing ‘Civil War’ Vegetable Seeds
Botanical Name: Phaseolus lunatus
Syn. Butter Bean
“Civil War’ is an heirloom bean that is grown as a podding bean or dried bean. Eaten young as a podding bean, they make a great subtropical substitute for broad beans, which can be unreliable in warmer climates. To eat fresh, harvest the pods when they are well-filled with seeds and slightly leathery. Remove the seeds and eat steamed or in soups and stews. To harvest as a dried bean, wait until the pods are nearly ready to split. Remove the seeds from the pods and dry further in a well-ventilated space, away from rodents. Lima beans originated in Peru where they have been cultivated for thousands of years. ‘Civil War’ is a vigorous, climbing bean that will need a strong support. It is excellent at coping with wet, humid conditions. Suitable for warm temperate, subtropical and tropical areas.
Plant Type: Short-lived perennial
Plant Height: Grow to 2 – 3m; require a strong trellis
Sow When:
- Subtropical: November – December
- Tropical: October – January
Germination:
- 7 – 10 days
- Depth: 2 – 4 cm deep
Position: Full sun; sow directly into the garden bed
Soil Type: Wide range of soils; requires moisture; tolerates acidity
Spacing: 30 – 60 cm apart at the base of a trellis
Details: Soak seeds in hot water for up to an hour until seeds swell to improve germination
Harvest: 60 days (fresh), 115 days (dried): pick daily, early in the morning
