Hope this helps. I'm growing Fordhook limas for the first time this year too. Here's a site with some basic info that I found helpful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Basic info on Bush Limas

Susan, thank you very much! It says '6 plants per square foot' - sounds like a lot!

Have you planted yours yet? Any idea how deep the container needs to be and/or how big they get (height and spread)? Thanks again.

Personally, I would take the "6 plants per square foot" with a grain of salt. Limas are very vigorous, spreading, deep-rooted plants - even the bush varieties. Furthermore, all of the varieties in the link are baby limas; large-seeded limas (like Fordhook) require more space.

When I grew Fordhook 242 in my garden, I used 6" spacing in the row (as recommended) and rows 2 feet apart. When the plants were mature, the growth was so dense that the beans were hard to find, even as large as they were.

Fordhook is a very good lima, IMO. They need full sun & plenty of heat to produce. As with any bean, avoid the excessive use of nitrogen... you'll end up with thick foliage, and few beans. In a container, they might need a balanced fertilizer early, but don't over-do it.

Update on my foodhook lima seeds... I put the seeds into soil on June 7 and now I have four 9" high seedlings. I have never seen anything grow so fast. (The other 6 seeds I planted are unaccounted for - thinking about germinating I suppose...)

I transplanted 3 of the seedlings into a 4 gallon container today. I suspect if all goes well, it will be crowded with all 3, correct? I am leaving it in the shade for a few days to acclimate. I put some Espoma Garden Tone into the container for fertilizer.

For you experienced bean people, does this sound on target? I have no idea what to expect - have never grown a bean in my life!

(How big will these plants get? I could not believe the size of the seedlings and their roots!)