How to Plant & Pick Purple Hull Beans

Purple hull beans, one variety of Southern peas, can be a tasty addition to any dish. These beans are a common food in the United States, especially in the South and are thought to have originated in Africa. Although they appear to be a deep purple when grown in the garden, they actually turn green when cooked. Plant these beans in late spring or early summer, as they are extremely tolerant of hot weather, according to the University of Arkansas. If you plant purple hull beans in the fall, plant them at least 65 days before your area's average frost date to ensure your plants are productive.

Soil probe
Bucket
Soil test box
Soil thermometer
Purple hull bean seeds
Fertilizer
Fungicide
Herbicide

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a location that offers sunshine and well-drained loam soil. Collect a sample of your growing soil and take it to your local extension office for testing to find out the soil's pH level. Make sure your soil's pH level is between 5.8 and 7 and add any amendments your soil test results suggest if necessary. Avoid planting purple hull beans in extremely fertile soils, which can result in excess vine growth and little production of beans.
- 2
  Test the temperature of your planting soil to make sure it is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit but ideally 70 degrees or higher. Also, make sure the soil is not excessively wet, which can result in root rot or seedling diseases. Place about five seeds to seven seeds per foot and plant these seeds an inch deep. Cover the seeds lightly with soil.
- 3
  Apply a fertilizer to your planting area, following the manufacturer's instructions and the suggestions of your soil test results. Also, give your purple hull beans an inch of water each week through irrigation if they do not get adequate rain water.
- 4
  Apply a fungicide if necessary on your plants to protect them from the cow pea aphid, which can appear on early planted beans, as well as corn earworms and stinkbugs, which arrive on late crops. In addition, put an herbicide on your bean plants, following the label directions, to control the growth of weeds that will compete with your bean plants for water and important nutrients.
- 5
  Plan to harvest your purple hull beans when the pods are half purple with well-formed peas. Pick them by hand and keep them in a cool and well-ventilated area. Store them in an area that is 45 to 50 degrees, which will keep them fresh for a few days.

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