How to Grow Black Kidney Bean Plants

Till soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches. Incorporate 3 to 5 inches of compost to add nutrients and help with the tilth of the soil. Rake the bed out even and to remove roots, rocks and other debris. Make certain the bed is weed free so the beans don't have any competition for resources.

Soak the black kidney beans in a bowl of warm water the night before planting. This will help soften the exterior and allow some moisture to start seeping into the embryo. The bean will soften further in soil and split, sending out cotyledons or the first leaves and growing a root.

Plant the seed in spring as soon as all danger of frost has passed. Soil temperatures should be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit for quick germination. Push the seed into the soil to a depth of 1 inch and brush soil lightly over the hole. Space the bean seed 3 inches apart in rows 15 inches apart. Water the area until the top 3 to 4 inches of soil are damp.

Keep the bed evenly moist until germination, often in as little as seven days. Irrigate at the base of the plants, avoiding foliage, to prevent fungal disease. Remove weeds as they occur. Spread 1 or 2 inches of manure around the edges of the plant. Black kidney beans are a bush bean so staking may not be necessary unless the plants have a full yield. Then push a stake near the center of the plants and tie the main stems to the stake so the bean pods don't end up in the dirt.

Harvest the bean pods when they are yellow and brown. Cut them off the plant and let them dry in the sun for another day. Put the dry pods in an old pillowcase and walk on it to crush the pods. Pour the resulting mixture into two bowls back and forth in a windy area or in front of a fan to blow out the chaff. Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry location until ready to use.