How to Grow Kidney Beans

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Kidney beans are easy to grow as long as you make sure the roots don't get waterlogged or otherwise damaged at any point during the season. Below, we'll tell you everything you need to know. Let's dive in!

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Planting the Beans

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  1. Kidney beans grow best when the weather gets warmer and the ground stops frosting. When the temperatures stay between 65 °F (18 °C) and 80 °F (27 °C) for a few days and the signs of frost are over, it’s time to plant your beans.
    • If there happens to be a frost that wasn’t expected, cover up the seedlings using straw to help protect them.
  2. Kidney beans love the sun and should be placed in a spot that receives as much sunlight as possible. Choose a spot in your yard that isn’t shaded by trees, bushes, or fences. [1]
    • While you can plant a kidney bean in a 12 in (30 cm) pot, they grow best outdoors because they don’t transplant well, and it takes many bean plants to produce enough beans for 1 person.
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  3. If the soil in your garden already drains well and is fertile, great! If not, pick up a well-draining soil from your local hardware store or nursery that’s nutrient-rich and use this to plant your kidney beans. [2]
    • Mix manure or compost into your soil to create a nutrient-rich environment, if desired.
    • Soils sold at home improvement stores or nurseries will be well-draining.
    • If the spot you’ve chosen collects water when it rains, it’s not well-draining.
  4. If your kidney bean is of a bush variety, that means that it will grow into a bush plant and will take up a fair amount of space. Place these kidney beans in the soil 8 in (20 cm) apart so they have plenty of room as they grow.
    • The package of bean seeds will tell you if your beans are a pole or bush variety if you're not sure.
  5. Kidney beans that grow on a pole or vine will take up less space than bush varieties, so you only need to place the beans 4 in (10 cm) apart in the soil. As these beans start to grow, put a stake or trellis in the soil so that the vining plant will have something to hold onto as it gets taller.
    • Make your own trellis using wood if desired.
  6. Your kidney beans need to be placed at least 1 in (2.5 cm) deep in the soil for them to begin growing. Either cover your beans with a layer of soil after setting them on the ground, or dig a small hole with your finger that’s 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) deep to set them inside.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Caring for the Beans

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  1. Kidney beans won’t grow well if they’re constantly sitting in water. When the top layer of soil has completely dried out, it’s time to water the roots again. [3]
    • The beans will need the most moisture as they’re going through germination to grow their roots, which takes about 10-14 days. During this time, watch the soil carefully to make sure it doesn’t dry out too much.
    • Touch the soil with your fingers to see whether it’s dry or not.
  2. Kidney beans tend to die if they're started in a pot and then moved to another space. To avoid this, keep them in the same spot in your garden or in the same large pot so they continue to thrive and grow. [4]
    • If you just want to grow 1 kidney bean plant, choose a pot that's at least 1 ft (30 cm) in diameter.
  3. When you go to water the plant, avoid pouring the water on top of the leaves and stem. If these parts of the plant stay wet, it’s more likely that they’ll grow an unwanted fungus.
    • Water the kidney bean plant in the morning instead of in the evening or at night so the sun has time to dry the plant.
    • If your plants grow a white mold on them or begin to rot, it's best to start growing new ones.
  4. Pests like aphids, slugs, and beetles may try to nibble on your kidney bean plant’s leaves. To keep them away, purchase an organic pest control that’s safe for your kidney bean plant from your local garden or hardware store.
    • Follow the instructions that come with your specific pest control to apply it properly.
    • If squirrels, deer, or rabbits become pests, keep them out with fencing or netting.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Harvesting and Storing Kidney Beans

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  1. Once the shell turns brown and the beans have completely dried, they’re ready to be plucked off the plant. If the plant is still green, it’s not ready quite yet. [5]
    • If it’s going to rain, move the beans into a dry shed or garage so they can keep drying out.
    • Kidney beans are only harvested once at the end of their growing season.
  2. Crack the shell open into 2 separate pieces using your fingers. Once it’s opened, place the beans into a container and discard the shells. [6]
    • Press on the beans to make sure they’re hard and dry.
    • Whether the kidney beans are white, red, or another color, they're harvested by removing the shell from the beans.
  3. Put all of your kidney beans in a sealed container to make sure nothing gets into them. Place them out of the sunlight and heat somewhere like a pantry or cupboard.
  4. Uncooked kidney beans are poisonous and can seriously harm your stomach. Boil them in water for 10 minutes so they're cooked before eating them. [7]
    • What makes raw kidney beans so toxic is something called "phytohaemagglutinin," also known as kidney bean lectin. Red kidney beans have the largest amount of the toxin in them.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    After how many days will the roots appear?
    Community Answer
    If you are talking about how long it will take for the beans to sprout, it will take 6-8 days if the beans are not soaked in water and 2-4 days if they are.
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    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 51
  • Question
    How many beans are there in a kidney bean pod?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the pod. Most pods tend to have between 6 and 7 beans.
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  • Question
    Can I plant the bean in the disposable glass?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but make a small hole in the bottom, and make sure the glass is a bit sturdy. The glass should be big for the roots.
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      Tips

      • Growing kidney beans, from planting to harvesting, will take 100-140 days.
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      • Avoid using fertilizers on your kidney bean plants—they'll encourage your plant to focus on growing its leaves instead of its beans.
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      • Remove weeds around the kidney bean plants very carefully because they have shallow roots and are easily disturbed.
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      Warnings

      • Raw kidney beans and their sprouts are poisonous. Kidney beans should only be consumed after they have soaked and cooked in boiling water for at least 10 minutes.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Kidney bean seeds
      • Manure or compost
      • Powdered inoculant
      • Trellis (optional)
      • Trowel
      • 12-inch (30.5-cm) container (optional)
      • Gravel (optional)
      • Watering can
      • Pesticide or fungicide (as needed)
      • Fencing or netting (as needed)

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about gardening, check out our in-depth interview with Don Tipping .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.tulsamastergardeners.org/blog/Entries/2022/5/growing-beans.html
      2. ↑ https://www.tulsamastergardeners.org/blog/Entries/2022/5/growing-beans.html
      3. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/runner-beans/grow-your-own
      4. ↑ https://www.sgaonline.org.au/growing-beans/
      5. ↑ https://www.sgaonline.org.au/growing-beans/
      6. ↑ https://seedsavers.org/grow-bean/
      7. ↑ https://seedsavers.org/grow-bean/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To grow kidney beans, wait until the spring after the last frost. Find a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil and bury the seeds 1 ½ inches (4 cm) deep, leaving 4 inches (10 cm) between seeds if you’re growing a vining variety or 8 inches (20 cm) if you’re growing a bush variety. You can also plant the seeds in 12-inch (30-cm) pots if you want to grow them in containers. It will take around 10-14 days for the seedlings to sprout. If you’re growing a vining variety, provide a trellis for the plants to grow on. Water the soil enough to keep it consistently moist, but not soaked. Your kidney beans should be ready to harvest after 100-140 days depending on the variety. Once the pods are dry and hard, remove them and break them apart to get to the beans inside. Store the dried beans in a sealed container in a dark, dry place for up to a year. For more tips, including how to harvest and store your kidney beans, read on!

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        Mar 19, 2017

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