These small speckled brown beans are the most popular dry shell beans for winter use! A wonderful half runner shelling bean. Traditionally used for refried beans, they cook up smooth and creamy with a great flavor. The young pods may also be eaten as green snap bean - green (fresh) pintos are a gourmet treat in Mexico. These beans take about 90 days to reach maturity.
***This is a half runner type (compact stocky bushes), somewhat similar to a pole bean. Half-Runner beans typically make short runners from 4 to 7 feet tall, but usually about 5 feet. Pole beans make runners from 6 to 30 feet long.
The pinto bean has its roots in South America; some historians fix the date as far back as 8,000 BC to the Pre-Incan civilization in Peru. People from this time valued dry beans because of their long lasting freshness in storage. Pinto beans contain the highest amount of fiber of any bean.
Did You Know? Pinto beans get their name (like Pinto ponies) from their mottled coloring.
~ planting ~
Direct sow Pinto dry bean seeds in rich, well-drained soil in full sun at least a week after the last expected frost, since beans are quite sensitive to cold. If you have never planted beans in your garden before, treat the seeds with a powder inoculant to allow the process of nitrogen fixation to begin. Plant them 1" deep and 3-6" apart, in rows about 2' apart; press down the earth above them for good soil contact. These Pinto dry bean seeds rot easily in wet soil, so do not over water them. Germination should take place 7-10 days after planting.
Soil Temperature: 70-85°F
Planting Depth: 1"
Germination: 5-11 Days
Height At Maturity: 2’-3’
Days to Maturity: 75-85 Days
Sun/Shade: Full
Spacing After Thinning: 4"-6"
*For companion planting benefits, plant beans near carrots or beets; avoid planting them near onions.
~ growing ~
After germination, maintain soil moisture; beans have shallow roots, and need water at least once a week if the weather is dry. Mulching the plants helps conserve moisture and discourages weeds.
***This is a half runner type (compact stocky bushes), somewhat similar to a pole bean. Half-Runner beans typically make short runners from 4 to 7 feet tall, but usually about 5 feet. Pole beans make runners from 6 to 30 feet long.
~ harvesting ~
If frost or inclement weather threatens before your beans are fully dry, pull them and allow them to continue drying under shelter. A good method for drying is to hang them upside down from their roots until the seeds rattle in the pods and are very hard. They should be completely dry 10-15 days later. Remove the seeds from the pods by hand, or thresh them by putting them in a bag and applying a heavy weight.
~ additional instructions ~
- all seeds are heirloom, open-pollinated, organic & non-gmo.
- detailed instructions are included with every seed package.
- inquire for discounts available on bulk quantities.
