Fordhook 242 stands as a testament to mid-century American plant breeding excellence, earning the prestigious 1945 All-America Selections award for its remarkable vigor and productivity. This robust bush lima bean produces thick, meaty, creamy-white beans that reach harvest maturity in 70-80 days, making it the gold standard for northern climates and coastal conditions where cool foggy nights challenge other varieties. Growing 16-20 inches tall in a compact bush form, it thrives across hardiness zones 3-11 with exceptional heat and drought tolerance. Its disease resistance to bacterial blight and powdery mildew, combined with reliability that has satisfied gardeners for eight decades, makes this heirloom variety a cornerstone of productive vegetable gardens.
4
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
20in H x ?in W
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High
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What sets Fordhook 242 apart is its unique adaptation to challenging growing conditions that defeat other lima beans. Ready for harvest almost a week earlier than most bush limas, it excels where summers are cool and nights are foggy, yet also demonstrates impressive heat and drought resistance for versatility across diverse climates. The beans themselves are exceptionally thick and meaty with a distinctive nutty flavor and buttery texture that makes them equally prized fresh from the garden or dried for winter storage. As an AAS winner developed by USDA breeders in the 1940s, it represents a significant leap forward in lima bean breeding that continues to deliver superior performance nearly 80 years later.
These lima beans excel as a high-protein side dish where their nutty flavor and distinctively buttery texture shine. The thick, meaty beans are perfect for fresh eating straight from the pod, and their substantial texture holds up beautifully when frozen or canned for year-round enjoyment. When dried, they provide excellent storage protein and maintain their rich flavor in soups, stews, and traditional succotash preparations.
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Direct sow outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature has warmed to at least 65°F. Plant seeds 4-6 inches apart in rows spaced 24-36 inches apart to allow adequate room for bushy growth and proper airflow.
Harvest when pods are plump and seeds inside are fully formed but still tender, typically around 70-80 days after planting. For fresh eating, pick pods when beans have reached full size but remain tender to the touch. Use hands or garden scissors to gently remove pods without damaging stems. For dried storage, wait until pods become dried and brittle, then hand-shell by breaking open pods and removing seeds.
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“Fordhook 242 emerged from the USDA research facilities in Beltsville in the 1940s, representing a breakthrough in lima bean breeding during an era when American agricultural scientists were working to develop more reliable food crops. The variety earned the coveted All-America Selections award in 1945, recognizing its significant improvement over existing lima bean varieties of the time. This recognition came during the post-war period when home gardening was experiencing a renaissance, and reliable, productive varieties like Fordhook 242 became essential for families seeking food security and self-sufficiency.”