Kidney Bean Seeds -LARGE DARK RED

Kidney beans are planted at the very beginning of spring—after the last frost of winter has passed—as they grow best in warm temperatures. When you start growing your beans, the air temperature should be around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and the soil temperature should be at least 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grow kidney beans in a bush or on a pole with support. Bush beans yield quickly, while pole beans take longer but produce more during the season. Refer to guide for steps on growing kidney beans at home.

Select a sunny location in your garden that receives direct sunlight and is not obstructed by other plants or shaded areas. Make sure the soil is loose and well-draining, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, as kidney beans do not thrive in moist environments. It is also worth noting that kidney beans produce their own nitrogen, eliminating the need for mulch. Plant kidney beans in a planter or ground with support of a trellis or pole to grow vertically. Consider a planter for a compact bush.

Dig your holes. If you’re planting pole beans, create a series of one-to-two-inch deep holes, spacing them about four to six inches apart. If you’re planting bush beans, plant your seeds at least six inches apart, also at a depth of one-to-two-inches. If you’re cultivating a small bush in a planter, dig a single one-to-two inch hole in the middle of your planter.

 Direct sow your seeds. Like green beans and black beans, kidney beans have shallow roots, so it’s best to sow them directly into your soil rather than starting them in containers and transplanting them later.

Water your bean seeds. Water your bean seeds whenever the soil around your plant appears dry. Overwatering can lead your seeds to rot. If you’re planting bush beans, water the seed immediately after you plant it. The germination process should begin in about 10 to 14 days.

Protect your beans. Protect your bean plants from weeds by pulling them out by hand. You can also surround the plant with a small circle of mulch to protect weeds from growing into it. Check for pests like aphids, slugs, and leafhoppers often, and use organic fungicides if faced with powdery mildew or bean rust.

Kidney beans are usually ready to harvest by the end of spring, around 100 to 140 days after planting. Mature bean pods will be straw-colored, feel dry on the outside, and hard on the inside. You can gently bite on a kidney bean pod to see if it is ripe (ripened beans will be too hard to bite through), but be careful not to ingest it, as raw kidney beans may be toxic.

To harvest your beans, pull the entire bean plant out of the soil and hang it upside down in a dark, dry, and warm spot for a few days (or in some cases weeks) to cure the beans. Once they’ve hardened completely, pluck the pods from your bean plant and harvest the seeds inside. Seal unused beans in an airtight container to store them for a longer period of time.