Lima beans can be hard to grow in the St. Paul, Minnesota area because they have a longer growing season and they are not tolerant of weeds. If you are lucky enough to get a crop you will find them tasty and healthy for you to eat. Collect as many as you can when they are ready to harvest and you can eat them fresh, frozen or canned.
You can tell when the lima beans are ready to harvest by how thick the bean pods are. The pods should be plump yet thin. Pick them and split them with your fingernail. Inside the pod you should see from one to four and possibly more beans. The beans can easily be removed by rubbing your finger down the inside of the pod once it is opened and breaking the beans off.
Let the beans fall into a bowl or a pot. Once all of your beans are collected out of the pods and into the container they are ready to cook and eat, freeze or can. You can even let them dry and use them later in the winter.
Fresh lima beans are a great treat. They are healthy for you and if they are organic they are even better.
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