Lima Help

maupin · March 31, 2008

I grow snap beans with no problem, but for whatever reason my limas have not germinated in the 10 years since I moved to my Southern Illinois hobby farm.

This year I'm planning to start the limas in flats and transplant them out. Anyone ever do this? How long from starting to planting out? Suggestions?

My soil is rich and friable, lots of organic matter, amended by 1 ton of compost every fall. I grow tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, watermelons, cukes, spinach, squashes, kale, collards....you name it, no problem. But these limas are pesky.

When I lived 200 miles north of her I grew great limas. When I moved from Zone 5 to Zone 6b the limas are finicky. Whoda thunk it?

I inoculate every year, even though I suspect it is not necessary at this point.
Any experienced observations would be most welcom

velikipop · March 31, 2008

I've started my Christmas Limas in pots for the last few years. I wait until the soil has warmed up to about 65 degrees and the seedlings are about two to four inches. It has worked fine so far and I also do it with runner beans as well. Pre sprouting is another method that has worked for me.
I think the critical factor is the temperature of the soil..

Alex

salix · April 1, 2008

We start our snap beans and Scarlet Runner beans inside and transplant out as well. Our season is so short that if we waited for the soil to warm up, then sow, the first fall (summer) frost would frequently forestall any harvest.

March 31, 2008	#1
maupin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northern Thailand Posts: 77	Lima Help I grow snap beans with no problem, but for whatever reason my limas have not germinated in the 10 years since I moved to my Southern Illinois hobby farm. This year I'm planning to start the limas in flats and transplant them out. Anyone ever do this? How long from starting to planting out? Suggestions? My soil is rich and friable, lots of organic matter, amended by 1 ton of compost every fall. I grow tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, watermelons, cukes, spinach, squashes, kale, collards....you name it, no problem. But these limas are pesky. When I lived 200 miles north of her I grew great limas. When I moved from Zone 5 to Zone 6b the limas are finicky. Whoda thunk it? I inoculate every year, even though I suspect it is not necessary at this point. Any experienced observations would be most welcom

March 31, 2008	#2
velikipop Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 768	I've started my Christmas Limas in pots for the last few years. I wait until the soil has warmed up to about 65 degrees and the seedlings are about two to four inches. It has worked fine so far and I also do it with runner beans as well. Pre sprouting is another method that has worked for me. I think the critical factor is the temperature of the soil.. Alex __________________ I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf Bob Dylan

April 1, 2008	#3
salix Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: north central B.C. Posts: 2,310	We start our snap beans and Scarlet Runner beans inside and transplant out as well. Our season is so short that if we waited for the soil to warm up, then sow, the first fall (summer) frost would frequently forestall any harvest.