Black beans are easy to grow and a good source of protein they can go in tons of recipes and they can be canned too. Black bean plans don’t take up a lot of space either. so if these aren’t in your garden yet what are you waiting for?
What are black beans?
Black beans are considered a legume, they are very popular in Latin American cuisine, though they can be found in a variety of different cuisines. Black beans have a mild, earthy flavor and a firm texture when cooked. They are a good source of protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. This makes them a great addition to your diet.
when to plant black bean
Most beans prefer warm weather so after your last frost date in early spring is a great time to get your seeds in the ground. keep in mind most seeds need warm soil to help them germinate best. So if they are between 70-80F you should be good to go. keep in mind that if the soil is too wet the seeds can rot.
They will need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight in order to be productive. Each plant if properly cared for and fertilized should produce 25-36 pods with each pod having 6-8 seeds AKA beans inside.
How to plant black beans
After you have found the perfect locations and added any solid amendments and fertilizer you may need. Bean seeds tend to germinate quickly so it’s recommended that you direct so. When doing direct so plant the seeds a half an inch deep and about 3 inches apart. The row spacing should be 15-18 inches apart. This will ensure that there is enough space for each plant to have air flow through its leaves.
You can start them out a little early indoors. You will need a plant heat mat and grow lights. I like this matt because it comes with a probe that goes into the dirt and you can set the temperature so you don’t cook your seedlings. As for growing lights we like these, but nothing beats mother nature so when the time comes invest in a greenhouse.
A greenhouse will make things a lot easier. It will keep the plants warmer and they can get natural sunlight and not take up room in your house. If you choose to start the plants early be sure you don’t wait too long to transplant your seedlings. They should have true leaves fully formed. Which are the leaves that come after that first set. Bean seedlings can go into a little shock when transplanted so try not to be too alarmed when they look rough right after being transplanted. Make sure everything gets water well.
Watering your Black Beans
Watering is very important to keep your black bean plants healthy and producing pods. Bean plants have shallow roots so be sure to take care when they need to be watered. Touching the soil is a great way to see if the soil is dry or not. As the plants get bigger and pods form increase the watering time and pull back if you got rain that day. You help keep moisture levels up you can add things like peat moss and coconut core. Be sure when water to only water below the plant and not to wet the leaves.
Weeding your Black bean plants
Weeding is an important set to keep the plants happy and healthy. pulling weeds isn’t just about making the area look better. Weeds take moisture and nutrients for themselves. which intern takes away from the plants. Bugs and other pests also hide in the weeds. So a few times a week while checking plants I grab a bucket and pull weeds and toss them to the chickens, It’s a win-win.
Black bean pests
The same way you like black beans so do bugs. There are a number of pests that ruin your garden. companion planting like marigolds.
Bean leaf beetle -These little pests look like a ladybug but they are yellow. They eat holes in the leaves and pods. The larva feed on the roots and nodules and below-ground stems. They are just a quarter of an inch small. These beetles are very hard to control without chemicals. Because of the highly mobile nature of the beetles. The options to control are limited. discourage over-wintering beetles. by destroying plant debris and keeping vegetation mowed nearby.
Slugs – They eat the smaller plants and eat threw leaves. We try and go out at night if we see the presence of snails in the garden. We simply hand-pick them off the plants. Then they turn into chicken food. the natural cycle of life.
Diseases that affect black bean plants
Making sure that sure plants aren’t too close together can really aid in keeping them healthy. Diseases tend to show up when plants are too close together or the weather has been really rainy and hot. white mold and blight are the main two diseases that hang around plants. You can see signs on the leaves of the plant. we Try to use Neem oil to help fight these diseases.
When is it time to harvest Black beans?
Your black bean is ready to harvest once the pods turn yellow and dry. this usually takes 90-140 days. This does depend on your weather and location. scissors and snip away the ripened pod from the plant to harvest your beans. You can harvest the whole plant if you’re in a larger garden to save time. You can lay the pods out in a well-ventilated area to continue to dry out. This process can vary on your location and humidity. Once the pods are done drying you can shell the beans! This is a great activity for kids just use caution because they are small. They can be stored in jars in a cool dark place
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