Early Thorogreen is an heirloom variety that produces excellent yields of light green lima beans with a rich, velvety texture and hearty flavor. Dating back to at least the early 1940's, Early Thorogreen was bred primarily for freezing and canning, producing a plump, light green baby lima that tastes great fresh and holds up well when frozen. Its plants are compact in stature, averaging around 18 inches tall, with 3-inch pods borne in clusters making for easy picking. Early Thorogreen boasts very good yields, making it a great variety for those looking to put back a lot of beans without committing a ton of space. What's more, it is tolerant of both heat and drought and bears dependably starting around 65 days after sowing right up until frost. While it is visually very similar to Henderson Bush Lima, we'd like to emphasize that Early Thorogreen works best for steaming, canning, and freezing. Its beans just don't dry down as nicely as Henderson's. The skins tend to shrivel a bit during drying which, while not harmful in any way, makes them visually less appealing. All in all, we'd say if you're looking for a good baby lima for drying, try Henderson's Bush Lima, and if you're looking for a plump baby lima for freezing or cooking straight from the garden, choose Early Thorogreen. Matures approximately 65 days after sowing. Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.
