How to Care for a Pinto Bean Plant

Pinto beans are warm-season crops that are harvested once the seeds are mature and dry. The beans have an oval-shape and a brown or tan appearance with dark speckles. Dry pinto beans grow well in hot locations because they tolerate drought well. Pinto beans need to be cared for properly to keep them healthy and productive. A proper growing environment, soil and water are a few necessary requirements that need to be fulfilled to harvest viable pinto beans.

5-10-10 fertilizer
Organic mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Plant pinto beans outdoors only when the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm-weather crops, pintos require a warm soil to germinate. A location with full sunlight and well-drained soil encourages the beans to grow.
- 2
  Apply a 5-10-10 fertilizer to the pinto beans before planting them. Work the nitrogen fertilizer into the soil to a depth of about 6 inches. Apply the fertilizer again once the plants develop flowers. Avoid applying the fertilizer on the foliage, as it can burn the plant. Follow the fertilizer's label instructions for dosage details.
- 3
  Remove grass and weeds from the planting location. Add a 2-inch layer of mulch to the area to suppress the weeds and keep the soil damp. Organic mulches such as straw or grass clippings work well.
- 4
  Plant pinto bean seeds 1-inch deep in heavy soils or 1-1/2 inches deep in light sandy soils. Space plants 2 to 4 inches apart and rows at least 2 feet apart.
- 5
  Give the pinto beans 1 inch of water each week. Avoid watering the pinto beans too often; an excess amount of water can lead to root rot and prevent pods from developing properly. Water the plants early in the morning for best results.
- 6
  Harvest pinto beans only when the seeds are mature and completely dry. The pods also must dry and turn brown before they are harvested.

Equipment Needed for Growing Soybeans

Acid Rain & Bean Plants

Growing Beans