Black Bean Plants

Planting Black Beans

• Beans grow best in well-drained clay or silt loam with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Select a location that gets full sun. Because bean plants do not like to be moved, sow them directly in the garden after the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees. Soaking the seeds for two hours before planting may speed germination. Plant seeds in rows 4 inches apart. Instead of making a hole for each seed, use a trowel to create a 1 inch deep trench. Dust the seeds with inoculants that contain beneficial bacteria to help seedlings develop better and then place them in the trench at 4-inch intervals. Cover the seeds with soil and press down firmly to settle them. The seeds should germinate in 10 to 20 days.

Caring for Black Bean Plants

• Bean plants have shallow roots that can be damaged by cultivating around them, so consider adding a layer of mulch 3 to 4 inches deep to suppress weed growth. Water the seedlings regularly and deeply, but don't soak them. Fertilizing the plants monthly gives them a boost, but use a low-nitrogen formula, as beans make their own nitrogen. Once the plants are well established, they can handle brief dry spells, but water them regularly until the pods fill out. When the pods turn brown, stop watering the plants so they will have an opportunity to dry.

Pests and Diseases

• Shell bean plants are susceptible to bean rust, which shows as brown patches on the leaves. As soon as you see the signs of rust, treat the plants with a fungicide. To control insects such as bean beetles and flea beetles, spray plants frequently with a chemical or organic insecticide. Aphids can spread bean mosaic virus, which causes the leaves to become deformed. Although most black bean varieties have been developed to resist the virus, an insecticide serves as extra protection.

Harvesting Black Beans

• Black beans should not be harvested until they have dried to the point they rattle in their pods. Pick the individual pods or pull the entire plant. Remove the beans from the pods and spread them out to dry. Thoroughly dried black beans can be stored in a sealed container for 2 years.