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How to Grow Prizetaker Lima Bean

Prizetaker Lima Bean

Phaseolus lunatus

vegetable

Prizetaker is a large-seeded butter bean variety prized for its tender, creamy beans and reliable production. This pole lima bean produces abundant yields of flat, pale green pods containing 3-4 large, pale green seeds per pod. It's an excellent choice for home gardeners seeking a productive, flavorful lima bean with excellent eating quality.

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Example Prizetaker Lima Bean timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Prizetaker Lima Bean

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Prizetaker Lima Bean

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Prizetaker Lima Bean dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum
💧
Water: Consistent moisture during growth and flowering; 1-1.5 inches per week. Reduce watering once pods begin developing. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues.
📏
Spacing: 6 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 70-85 days from planting
🌱
Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy loam soil
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure (moderate nitrogen) Bone meal for phosphorus Potassium-rich amendments like wood ash or kelp meal

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9, can be grown as annual in cooler zones with succession planting

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

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Germination occurs in 8-14 days. First true leaves emerge, vine begins establishing tendrils for climbing.

Ensure consistent soil moisture. Provide sturdy trellis or support structure early. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeded.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Vigorous vine development with compound leaves and extensive tendril growth. Plant climbs 6-8 feet tall on proper support.

Guide vines onto trellis or support. Mulch around base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Monitor for pests. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer which promotes leafy growth over flowering.

3

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small white or pale lavender flowers appear in clusters along the vine. Flowering marks the transition to reproductive phase.

Maintain consistent watering during this critical stage. Flowers are self-pollinating but benefit from bee activity. Support fully loaded vines adequately.

4

Pod Development

2-3 weeks

Flowers transition to flat green pods, each containing 3-4 large seeds. Pods elongate and fill over 2-3 weeks.

Continue regular watering (1-1.5 inches weekly) but don't overwater once pods set. Reduce nitrogen. Check supports for weight load as pods mature.

5

Maturity & Harvest

1-2 weeks (fresh) or until frost (dry)

Pods firm up, beans inside become pale green and starchy. Pods may show slight yellowing at seams when ready for fresh harvest; continue to brown for dry beans.

Harvest green beans when pods are 4-5 inches long and still tender. For dry beans, allow pods to brown completely on the vine, then harvest and shell.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Squash Cucumber Radish Carrots Marigold Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Garlic Onions Kohlrabi Brassicas

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick beetles and egg clusters; use row covers early in season; apply spinosad or neem oil for infestations; encourage native predators.

  • Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; release ladybugs; neem oil if severe.

  • Use row covers on young plants; remove infected plants; yellow sticky traps; spinosad or neem oil sprays.

  • and (Uromyces phaseoli, Podosphaera)

    Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected leaves; apply sulfur dust or neem oil; choose rust-resistant varieties.

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; use insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage natural predators.

Uses

🍳

Fresh butter beans and succotash

Culinary

Prizetaker lima beans are prized for their creamy, buttery texture when cooked fresh. They're perfect for succotash (combined with corn), steamed as a side dish, or added to soups and salads. [source]

🍳

Dry storage and winter cooking

Culinary

When allowed to mature fully, the dried beans store for up to a year and can be used in soups, stews, and casseroles. They require soaking and cooking but provide excellent nutrition and comfort food applications. [source]

💊

Dietary fiber and protein source

Medicinal

Lima beans are rich in dietary fiber, plant-based protein, and essential minerals including iron, magnesium, and folate. They support digestive health and provide sustained energy. [source]

🏠

Garden productivity and nitrogen fixation

Household

As a legume, Prizetaker lima beans fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria in root nodules, improving soil fertility for subsequent crops without requiring synthetic fertilizers. [source]

🦋

Pollinator support and food source

Wildlife

The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while mature pods and beans provide food for garden birds and wildlife. The dense foliage offers shelter for beneficial insects. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

For fresh butter beans, harvest pods when 4-5 inches long and still tender, typically 16-20 days after flowering. Snap the pod from the vine or use pruners. For dry beans, allow pods to remain on the vine until completely brown and dry (usually by first frost), then harvest entire pods and shell. Fresh beans can be eaten raw or cooked; store shelled fresh beans in refrigerator up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage. Dry beans store in cool, dry conditions for months.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Lima beans originated in Peru and were named after Lima, Peru's capital. The Prizetaker variety was developed to be more reliable and productive than earlier Lima bean cultivars, making it a favorite among American home gardeners since the early 20th century.
  • 🌱 Lima beans contain compounds called cyanogenic glycosides which are broken down and made harmless by cooking. Fresh lima beans taste slightly different from dried because the enzymatic processes during drying and storing alter their flavor profile, making stored beans creamier.
  • 🌱 Prizetaker lima beans are determinate pole varieties that can produce for several months with consistent harvesting, unlike bush varieties. A single well-maintained plant can yield 2-3 pounds of fresh beans over a growing season.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Germination Mulch pH Trellis True Leaves
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