• 'Fordhook 242' bush Lima bean seeds.
1 5

Fordhook 242 Bush Lima Bean

Fordhook 242 Bush Lima Bean

$2.94 USD
$2.94 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Size Options
Fordhook 242


80 days — 'Fordhook 242', also sold as 'Fordhook Two-Forty-Two',[4] plants are bush-type reaching sixteen to twenty inches tall producing pods that contain three to five large, flat greenish-white seeds. Although it performs well in Northern and Maritime climates, it is described as being developed as a heat-resistant variety for the South. Vaughan's 1945 seed catalog introduced it as follows:

"A distinct improvement is the ability to set basal pods in hot, dry weather, and to thrive in temperatures as high as 102 degrees. Early and total yields are heavier than the original."[1]

When Henry A. Dreer of Philadelphia introduced it to his customers in their 1946 seed annual, they stated:

"It resembles Fordhook with its large, thick-seeded pods which contain 3 or 4 nutty-flavored beans each but the plants have more foliage than regular Fordhook and will set pods in abundance during hot, dry summer weather. The early yield also exceeds that of Fordhook."[3]

Developed by the USDA AES, Beltsville, Maryland as an improved selection of the old W. Atlee Burpee 'Fordhook' Lima. 'Fordhook 242' was introduced and an "All-America Selection®" Bronze Medal winner in 1945.[1,2] The seeds are large. Each ounce contains approximately 25 seeds.

View full details
Planting Instructions: Beans prefer well-drained, rich soil in a sunny location. Make sure that you keep them well watered in the summer heat. Beans are tender and you should not plant them until all danger of frost has passed and the soil remains above 65ºF. Sow seeds 1½ inches deep, every 2 to 3 inches.

Harvest when the pods are well-filled and firm, but still bright green in appearance. To dry, allow them to remain on the vine until brittle. If rain threatens, harvest and finish drying indoors. Although the name or description of this variety refers to a modern company's name, the seed we are offering is in no way sourced from, "owned by" or connected with that company. The name is simply the historically accurate, common name for the variety giving credit to the seedsmen that originally released it. Informational References:
  1. "Vaughan's Gardening Illustrated," Vaughan's Seed Store, Chicago & New York, 1945.
  2. "Maule's Seed Book 1946," William Henry Maule Co., Philadelphia & Clinton, Iowa, 1946.
  3. "Dreer's Garden Book for 1946," Henry A. Dreer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1946.
  4. "Maule 1947 Seeds," William Henry Maule Co., Philadelphia & Clinton, Iowa, 1947.

Explore our vegetable collections:

[ Artichokes | Asparagus | Beans | Beets | Broccoli | Sorghums | Brussels Sprouts | Cabbage | Cantaloupe | Carrots | Cauliflower | Celery | Collard Greens | Corn | Cucumber | Eggplant | Endives | Gourds | Kale | Kohlrabi | Leeks | Lettuce | Mesclun Mix | Mustard Greens | Okra | Onions | Parsley | Edible Pod Peas | Garden Peas | South Peas | Hot Peppers | Mild Peppers | Pumpkins | Radishes | Rapini | Rhubarb | Salad Greens | Salsify | Summer Squash | Winter Squash | Swiss Chard | Tomatillo | Tomatoes | Dwarf Tomato Project  | Turnips | Watermelons ]