Low soil temperature + high moisture is the most likely cause of poor germination. In combination with heavy, poorly-drained soil, seed rot can be severe. In the Northern states, there have been a lot of wet Springs in recent years... guessing from your zone, Creek-side, you might have experienced some of that. As already stated by others, limas need higher soil temps than common beans to get good germination. Soybeans need about the same soil temps as common beans, but in my experience, edamame types are more sensitive to poor conditions than field soybeans... especially excessive moisture. Planting depth might be an issue if you have heavy soil that crusts over after heavy rains; the soil where I garden is like that. To make it easier for the seedlings to emerge, I plant a little more shallowly (just over 1") and place seed in groups ("hills") rather than spaced widely in rows. The clusters of seedlings make it easier to break through the crust; when the seedlings are healthy, I thin to their final spacing (cut, don't pull). For sandy well-drained soil, the hill method would not be necessary, since the seedlings can emerge easily... the 2" depth recommendation would probably be necessary for sand, to prevent the seeds from drying out. I would recommend against mulching the soil after planting beans. It helps to preserve moisture (which can be a good or bad thing) but it also prevents sunlight from warming the soil, and can harbor insects which will attack the newly-emerged seedlings. Once the plants have their first true leaf, they have toughened enough to mulch the soil around them. I never mulch soybeans, since it has been my observation that they don't seem to be as sensitive to mud splash as limas & common beans. Personally, I've tried the "eye down" method with limas (and other beans) and didn't see any improvement over just dropping seed into the hole. When I start limas in pots (my preferred method, given my short seasons) I find that laying the seeds on their sides & covering lightly gives the best results. Makes sense when you think about it, since that is how they would fall in Nature. The best germination rates I've had for limas were in peat pots, with starter mix packed tightly to within 1/2"-3/4" from the top, the seed laid on its side & pushed to make firm contact, then covering with screened play sand to the top. Level the top by scraping off the excess sand with a straight edge. Soak the pots in a tray overnight, then drain off all excess water; add water only if necessary, being sure to pour off any excess. Put the tray into direct sunlight as soon as germination begins, preferably in a protected enclosure. Germination rates have generally been around 90% using this method (100% this year). Pole limas are very cost effective as transplants, since the yield per plant is so high... and it avoids most of the germination issues.

When I was still living in SoCal, I had more latitude in my choices than I do now. One year, on a whim, I attached a 10' bamboo pole (that I had cut from a riverbank) to a steel fencepost driven in deep. A hill of "King of the Garden" limas was planted at the base. The limas went to the top of the pole & beyond, a regular "Jack & the beanstalk"! My children were 8-10 years old at the time, and they were really impressed. Of course, we couldn't pick them that high. Eventually the mass of vines & pods was too heavy for the bamboo, and a windy day broke off the top. If you only want a few bushes, I would recommend "Burpee's Improved". The seeds are very large, especially in the green shell stage... and to a young boy, "big" means bragging rights. ;-) "Fordhook 242" is another large seeded variety.

Sylviatexas, yes, I have eaten mock apple pie that a friend's mother made for an after school treat when I went home with her after school one day about 1955. I had never had it, and if I had not been told, I would have thought it was a slice of apple pie. The Ritz crackers are halved, and the only thing that gives it away is that the edges of the "apples" are scalloped or look like they have been peeled with pinking shears. That was an interesting visit. When my friend introduced me to her mother, her mom gasped and asked if I was Jack ____'s daughter. I replied that I was, and she proceeded to tell me how he was so handsome and she had had a crush on him in their single days. At dinner that night I related this mom's report of my dad. He was tickled to hear that a girl he did not remember from his past remembered him. I have seen pictures of my dad from back then, and he looked like a slender Bert Lancaster.

Oh gosh. When I read the title of this post I was wondering what comments were going to be made.....I didn't move out until I was 26! I started work right after high school graduation, worked a year there, then got a better paying job, bought a house when I moved out at 26, and retired after 30yrs. You know I'm always hesitant to let people in on the fact I left home so late. I think the suggestion to SAVE money should be right up there at the top. I didn't make much money at either job and the last one not for years, but I wished I'd put a little away. It would have helped so much. You get tired of eating lima beans and rice every night.