How to Grow King of the Garden Lima Pole
Phaseolus lunatus 'King of the Garden'
King of the Garden Lima Pole is an heirloom warm-season bean beloved for its tender pods and reliable yield. Gardeners prize this variety for its vigorous growth habit and ability to thrive in full sun while providing a nutritious, protein-rich harvest.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting King of the Garden Lima Pole: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — King of the Garden Lima Pole is not usually started indoors.
This plant is a warm-season crop that should be direct-sown into the garden only after the last frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before planting. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the ground has warmed up; do not sow earlier. Plant seeds directly into the garden at a depth of about one inch. Expect germination to occur within seven to twelve days under these warm conditions.
Space plants six to eight inches apart along sturdy trellises or poles, as this pole variety requires vertical support to climb. Maintain consistent moisture by providing one to one and a half inches of water weekly, ensuring the soil stays evenly damp but not soggy. Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds without smothering the stems.
Watch for pests like lima bean pod borers, bean leaf beetles, and spider mites, which can be managed with regular inspections and hand-picking or insecticidal soap. Prevent downy mildew, bacterial blight, and mosaic virus by practicing crop rotation and ensuring good air circulation around the plants. Harvest pods ninety to ninety-five days after sowing when they are young and tender.
When to Plant King of the Garden Lima Pole
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | November – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | October – September |
| Zone 3 | — | June – July | 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 |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | May – July |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | May – July |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | May – July |
Companion Plants for King of the Garden Lima Pole
✓ Good companions
Beans fix nitrogen in soil which carrots utilize, carrots don't compete for same nutrients
Provides natural support structure for climbing beans, part of Three Sisters planting
Benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans, similar water requirements
Repel bean beetles and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial pollinators
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel bean beetles
Break up soil for bean roots, mature quickly before beans need full space
Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, completes Three Sisters guild
Repels bean beetles and aphids, may improve bean flavor and growth
✗ Keep away from
Allelopathic compounds can stunt bean growth and reduce yields
Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation through root compounds
Compete for nutrients and water, can shade beans and reduce growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
