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How to Grow Butter Bean Sieva Baby Fordhook

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Butter Bean Sieva Baby Fordhook

Phaseolus lunatus

vegetable

Butter Bean Sieva Baby Fordhook is a small, tender lima bean variety prized for its creamy texture and delicate, buttery flavor. This bush-type lima bean is a heat-loving annual that produces abundant pods of small beans throughout the growing season. It's ideal for home gardeners seeking earlier maturity and easier harvesting than pole lima varieties.

Looking for a specific variety?

Fordhook 242 Jackson Wonder Baby Fordhook Henderson Cangreen

When should you plant Butter Bean Sieva Baby Fordhook in your zone?

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Example Butter Bean Sieva Baby Fordhook timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Butter Bean Sieva Baby Fordhook

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Butter Bean Sieva Baby Fordhook

    Around Jun 21

    ≈ 65 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Butter Bean Sieva Baby Fordhook dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours ideal for best production)
💧
Water: Moderate; 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at soil level to reduce disease. More critical during flowering and pod development.
📏
Spacing: 4 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 65-75 days
🌱
Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with moderate fertility
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure (avoid excess nitrogen) Phosphorus-rich fertilizer Perlite or sand for drainage in heavy soils

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9; grows in 3-4 but prefers warm climates

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

7-14 days

Small sprouts emerge with cotyledons visible; first true leaves appear within 7-10 days

Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and consistently moist. Protect from cold; do not plant until soil reaches 60°F. Thin to proper spacing once true leaves develop.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Compact bush develops multiple stems with pinnate leaves; plant reaches 12-18 inches tall

Maintain consistent moisture and warmth. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Avoid excess nitrogen to prevent excessive foliage. Support with light stakes if needed in windy areas.

3

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small white, pink, or lavender flowers appear in clusters on leaf axils; plant is bushy and full

Ensure adequate water, especially during this critical stage. Water consistently at soil level. Do not disturb plants. Avoid foliar feeding which can cause flowers to drop. Allow good air circulation.

4

Pod Development & Filling

3-4 weeks

Pods elongate and thicken; small butter beans visible inside green pods. Pods grow to 3-4 inches long

Maintain consistent watering; irregular water causes pod abortion. Apply balanced fertilizer if soil is depleted. Monitor for pests and diseases. Continue mulching.

5

Harvest Maturity

Ongoing, 2-4 weeks of harvest

Pods become plump, tender, and full-sized; seeds inside are cream-colored to light green; pod color may lighten slightly

Begin harvesting when pods are tender and beans are fully developed but before pods dry out. Regular picking encourages continued production. Cool pods immediately after harvest.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Squash Pumpkin Cucumber Melon Basil Marigold Nasturtium Summer savory

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Garlic Onion Leek Chives Tomato Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale)

Common Pests

  • Row covers on young plants; handpick; neem oil spray; encourage native predators; plant resistant varieties if available

  • Overhead watering to increase humidity; neem oil or insecticidal soap; avoid sulfur in hot weather (above 85°F)

  • Store dried beans at below 50°F; use pheromone traps; remove and destroy infested pods; consider diatomaceous earth

  • Yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch; neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage parasitic wasps

  • Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; sulfur dust (if temp below 85°F); remove affected leaves

  • Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; copper fungicide as preventative

Uses

🍳

Fresh or cooked beans

Culinary

Butter beans have a delicate, buttery texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor perfect for steaming, boiling, or sautéing. They work beautifully in succotash, butter bean salads, or simply dressed with butter and seasonings. [source]

🍳

Soup and stew ingredient

Culinary

Their creamy texture makes butter beans excellent for soups, bisques, and stews where they add body and richness without overpowering other flavors. [source]

🍳

Preserved and frozen

Culinary

Fresh butter beans freeze beautifully for winter use, maintaining texture and flavor better than many vegetables. They can also be canned for long-term storage. [source]

💊

Nutritional health benefits

Medicinal

Butter beans are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, folate, and magnesium, supporting digestive health and stable blood sugar levels. [source]

🏠

Dried seeds for storage

Household

Mature dried butter beans store for a year or more in cool, dry conditions, providing a reliable source of protein and nutrients through winter. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest butter beans at the 'butter stage'—pods should be fully plump and tender, just before they become tough and fibrous. This typically occurs 70-75 days after planting. Pick pods every 2-3 days to encourage continued production. Grasp the stem with one hand and gently snap or cut pods with the other to avoid damaging the plant. For fresh eating, use immediately or refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For shelling and fresh use, squeeze pods gently or slit the seam to open. For dried storage, allow pods to mature fully on the plant until papery, then shell and dry.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Butter beans are also called 'sieva beans' or 'baby limas,' and Fordhook is a specific cultivar developed for its prolific production and tender pod quality.
  • 🌱 Unlike many beans, lima beans were originally domesticated in Central and South America over 7,000 years ago and are rich in cyanogenic compounds that are neutralized by cooking.
  • 🌱 The 'Fordhook' cultivar was developed by the Burpee seed company and named after their testing grounds in Fordhook, Pennsylvania, representing a major advancement in home lima bean growing.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Full Sun Mulch True Leaves
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