King of the Garden

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sweet, creamy pods unfold into tender, buttery beans with a velvety bite that feels almost custard-smooth—an inviting flavor that lingers like warm vanilla over green grass.

“King of the Garden” is a vigorous pole lima, producing an abundance of substantial beans that hold their shape beautifully for hearty spoonfuls, whether you savor them fresh or let them shine in rich bean purées and thickened sauces. Grow it for the sheer pleasure of abundance: climbing plants that reward patience with a harvest that tastes as generous as its name.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of King of the Garden

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	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

A pole lima like “King of the Garden” cooks up creamy without turning grainy, so it behaves beautifully in purées and thick, reduced sauces. It’s sweet and softly aromatic—think buttered spoonfuls first, then let lemon and herbs sharpen the velvety finish.

Best Uses

steam or boil and serve as a glossy, spoonable side with a knob of butter and salt
blend into a thick lima purée for topping toast or filling pasta
fold into hearty soups and stews where they stay intact for spoonfuls
use as the base for a creamy, spoon-thick sauce (reduce cooking liquid to cling to beans)

Flavor Profile

sweet, buttery bean flavor velvety, custard-smooth texture with a gentle bite green-herb freshness that lingers like warm cream

Kitchen Pairings

butter garlic lemon fresh herbs (parsley or tarragon) smoked pork or pancetta parmesan or pecorino

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common problem for Phaseolus lunatus (lima/“king of the garden” bean) and how do I manage it?

A frequent issue is rust or other foliar fungal spots that show up as orange-brown pustules or speckling on leaves, especially in humid weather. Water the plants at the soil line (not over the leaves), remove heavily affected leaves, and improve airflow by spacing vines/planting for full sun exposure. If the problem persists, spray an approved copper-based fungicide early at the first leaf symptoms and repeat as the label directs.

How often should I water Phaseolus lunatus during its main growing phase (after flowering)?

During flowering and pod-filling, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) per week total, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) dry slightly between waterings to prevent stress-related leaf drop and to avoid overly soggy soil. Mulch around the plants helps stabilize moisture for steady pod development.

How can I tell when Phaseolus lunatus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the pods are fully developed and the seeds inside are firm and mostly filled; for dried beans, wait until pods dry on the plant and rattle slightly. For fresh “baby” beans, pick when pods are still tender and seeds have reached their mature size but are not hard. Count roughly to your variety’s timeline (about 90 days to maturity) and confirm by pod size and seed firmness rather than the calendar alone.