Jackson Wonder Bush Lima

Family: Fabaceae Legume

A velvet-smooth, buttery lima with a rich, mellow flavor—Jackson Wonder Bush Lima fills the bowl with tender, creamy goodness at the peak of maturity.

The pods hold plump, well-filled seeds that steam up into a soft, luxurious texture, ideal for spoonable favorites and hearty garden suppers. Compact and dependable as a bush type, it’s a rewarding choice for home gardeners who want consistent harvests and a truly satisfying bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Jackson Wonder Bush Lima

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This bush lima—especially when picked at peak maturity—leans into a luxuriously creamy interior without turning grainy, so it’s happiest spooned straight or folded into thick, reduced dishes. Use fats and salt early, then finish with a bright acid (like lemon) so the mellow bean flavor tastes alive rather than flat.

Best Uses

steam-and-toss warm with browned butter and black pepper
fold into thick soups and purées for a spoonable, velvety base
bowl-style succotash with crisp aromatics for contrast
pan-sear or roast tender shelled beans until lightly caramelized then finish with salt and acid

Flavor Profile

buttery, mellow sweetness creamy, velvet-smooth texture when cooked gentle earthy bean flavor holds its shape while staying spoon-tender

Kitchen Pairings

browned butter garlic smoked bacon lemon zest parmesan caramelized onions

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease problem for lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) like Jackson Wonder bush lima, and how do I manage it?

Bacterial blight can show up as dark, water-soaked spots on leaves and pods, often spreading quickly in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard affected plants and avoid overhead watering; instead, water the soil at the base in the morning. If you see early spread, start a protectant spray schedule labeled for beans and continue through the high-risk period to limit new infections.

How often should I water bush lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture should I maintain?

During pod set and development (roughly mid-season through about day 60–90), keep soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry, but don’t let it swing to drought or soggy conditions, which can reduce pod filling and promote root issues. Mulch lightly can help steady moisture without staying wet around the crown.

How do I tell when Jackson Wonder bush lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully formed and filled but still tender—typically around 90 days from sowing. For fresh lima beans, pick when pods are bright green and the seeds feel plump and creamy when you open one pod. If pods are turning yellow or seeds are hard, they’re past the fresh stage and are better saved for dry beans.