Pinto Bean

Pinto Beans are the most popular bean crop in Northern Mexico and Southwestern USA! Named after the Spanish word for "paint," this beige, open-pollinated, bush shell bean is splashed with reddish brown streaks! These classic and versatile beans mature into firm, flavorful beans that produce a delicious creamy texture when cooked, perfect for everything from hearty stews and chili to tacos and burritos. Loved for their easy-growing nature, Pinto Beans thrive in warm soil and require minimal maintenance, making them an ideal crop for both novice and experienced gardeners. These beans are not only delicious but also packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, providing a nutritious and filling food source for your family. Pinto Beans are excellent for those looking for a high-yielding plant, as each vine produces a bountiful harvest. Harvest early for 5-7-inch long green snap beans or later for dry beans to store for the winter months or share with others.

Also Known As: Speckled Bean, Painted Beans, Shell Bush Beans, Judias Pintas, Pink Beans, Red Beans, Spanish Beans, California Pink Beans, Mexican Pinto Beans, Brown Pinto Beans, Pinto Phaseolus, Speckled Beans, Ojo de Cabra Beans.

Plant Name:	Bean, Pinto
Latin Name:	Phaseolus vulgarus
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	60-90
Plant Height:	18 - 24 Inches
Spread:	12 - 18 Inches
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	3-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of a low-nitrogen fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a low-nitrogen fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 18 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Plant Pinto Beans in the spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature reaches at least 60F. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 10-12 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 5 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1-2 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	5 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	18-24 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Water especially during flowering and pod formation. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: As the plants begin to flower and set beans, you may optionally apply fertilizer to help plants produce more beans. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Pinto beans can be picked earlier for snap beans or later in the shelling stage or the dry stage. For snap beans, pick pods after 6 weeks when pods are bright green and at least 5 inches long. To pick beans during the shelling stage, pick when the pod has changed color and the beans have been plumped, but before the pods and seeds have dried. During the dry stage, pick dry pinto beans when the pods are dry and brittle and seeds inside are hard. Harvest before frost, as cold weather can damage the beans. To collect, simply pull the pods from the plant and shell the beans, or pull up the entire plant to dry indoors if wet weather threatens.