How to Water and Fertilize Lima Beans for Vigorous Growth and High Yields

Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) respond best to steady, even moisture and light, well-timed feeding. After growing limas in raised beds, mounded rows, and large containers for many seasons, I’ve learned that the right water-and-fertility balance determines whether plants deliver big yields or struggle with slow growth and empty pods. Here’s how to get it right from seedling to harvest.

Table of Contents

Why Water and Feeding Matter for Limas

Unlike snap beans, limas need slightly warmer soil and more consistent early moisture to establish. But they hate wet feet—roots quickly rot in soggy soil. And while limas fix some nitrogen, they still benefit from targeted feeding at the right stages.

Overfeeding, especially with nitrogen, produces big leafy plants with few pods. My first few seasons taught me that “less is more” when it comes to lima bean fertilizer.

How to Water Lima Beans

Watering at Planting

Water deeply after sowing to settle seeds 1–1½ inches deep.
Keep the top inch of soil slightly moist until seedlings emerge.
In my warm California garden, this usually means watering lightly every 1–2 days during germination.

Watering Young Plants (2–4 weeks)

Reduce frequency once seedlings are established.
Water deeply once or twice per week so moisture penetrates 6–8 inches into the soil.
Avoid overhead irrigation to prevent fungal problems.

Watering During Flowering and Pod Set

This is the most critical irrigation window.

Keep soil evenly moist; never let plants wilt.
A single dry spell can cause blossoms to drop and pods to form incompletely.
In hot spells (above 90°F), I water every other day in raised beds and daily for containers.

Watering Mature Pods Near Harvest

Reduce irrigation slightly when pods plump up.
Too much late moisture can delay maturity and dilute flavor.
Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings.

Tip from experience: Mulching with straw or shredded leaves around plants reduces watering needs by up to 30% in my summer beds.

How to Fertilize Lima Beans

Before Planting

Work compost or aged manure into the top 6–8 inches of soil.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers at planting—lima beans don’t need them.

At the 6–8 Inch Growth Stage

Side-dress with a balanced organic fertilizer, such as 5-5-5.
Apply lightly—½ cup per 10 feet of row—then water in.
This supports early vine and root development without pushing excess leaf growth.

At Flowering

Side-dress again with a low-nitrogen mix such as 3-4-6 or a handful of bone meal plus kelp meal.
This timing has given me the biggest bump in yields over the years.

For Container Plants

Container limas exhaust nutrients more quickly.

Mix slow-release organic fertilizer into the potting mix at planting.
Feed every 3–4 weeks with a diluted organic liquid feed (fish-kelp blend works beautifully).
Watch for pale leaves—a sign of nutrient depletion.

Signs You’re Watering or Feeding Incorrectly

Too much water: yellowing leaves, slow growth, fungal spots
Too little water: blossom drop, small pods, curled leaves
Too much nitrogen: lots of vines, few beans
Too little fertility: pale foliage, poor flowering, slow filling pods

Catching these early can save the crop—container plants especially respond quickly when corrected.