Winfield Lima Bean, New York Heirloom

The story of the Winfield Lima Bean is a wonderful piece of American gardening history, spanning from rural New York homesteads to midwestern seed catalogs.

• Origins in Painted Post, NY: In the 1940s, Mrs. James E. Winfield of Painted Post, New York, set out to find or develop a pole lima bean that could reliably mature in short northern summers. Through careful selection and dedication, she cultivated an exceptionally hardy, heavy-yielding climber that thrived in cooler northern soils.
• The variety was first introduced to the commercial seed trade in 1953 by the Billy Hepler Seed Company (a famous seed business founded by young Billy Hepler at age 12 in New Hampshire). Billy's father died and many of his seedstock was purchased by other seed companies. 
• The "North Pole" Moniker: Recognizing its extraordinary cold tolerance and vigorous climbing habit, the famous Farmer Seed & Nursery of Faribault, Minnesota, introduced and popularized the variety in their mid-century catalogs (such as their 1965 catalog) under the catchy trade name "North Pole." Gardeners across the Upper Midwest and Canada quickly embraced it as the ultimate dependable pole butterbean.

Winfield is an absolute powerhouse of rich flavor and beauty, combining ornamental climbing vigor with incredible culinary rewards.

• The Vine & Pods: Vigorous climbing vines that readily scale poles, trellises, or fences, producing abundant clusters of plump, tender green pods filled with delicious seeds.
• The Seeds & Flavor: Inside the pods lie plump, smooth seeds that offer a remarkably creamy, buttery texture and sweet, nutty flavor—far superior to anything canned or frozen.
• Culinary Uses: Ideal for fresh shelling in summer succotasks, traditional soups, and hearty stews, or blanched and frozen to enjoy the rich taste of summer all winter long.

Winfield is a productive, heavy-yielding pole climbing crop tailored for cooler climates and northern gardeners.

"Winfield (North Pole) Lima Bean is a true northern miracle. We love it because finding a reliable pole lima that actually sets pods and ripens before the autumn frost in cooler climates is nearly impossible. This heirloom delivers massive yields of rich, buttery beans on a vigorous vine that turns any garden fence into a productive edible wall."

• Warm Soil Direct Sowing: Direct sow seeds outdoors in spring after all danger of frost has passed and soil has thoroughly warmed to at least 65°F (18°C). Lima bean seeds are sensitive to rotting in cold, wet spring soil.
• Provide Strong Support: Because these are vigorous climbers reaching 6 to 8 feet or more, set up sturdy poles, teepees, or netting trellis systems before planting.
• Consistent Moisture & Sun: Plant in full sun with well-draining, fertile garden soil. Keep soil evenly moist during flowering and pod set to ensure maximum yields of plump, tender beans.