Growing Dry Beans

Why grow dry beans?

Dry beans store well, feed people directly, and as legumes, they can contribute nitrogen in a rotation. They fit well after a heavy feeding crop and before a grain or vegetable crop. On small farms they can be grown by hand or with simple equipment.

They are also a good learning crop. Their needs are modest, and harvest and cleaning can be done in a barn or on a tarp with basic tools.

Keep a small patch for your own table first. Growing beans for household use is a low risk way to learn drying and cleaning before you think about selling.

• Store well without refrigeration
• Fit nicely into rotations
• Work for home use or direct sales
• Can be grown with simple tools

Which type should I plant?

Dry beans come in many classes, including black, pinto, kidney, navy, and heirloom types. Bush types mature together and suit machine harvest, while pole and vine types ripen over a longer period and need support. Choose by your season, your market, and your equipment.

Local trial results help. Ask your extension office and nearby growers which types mature before frost in your area.

• Black, pinto, kidney, navy, and heirloom types
• Bush types ripen together
• Vine types need support

How do I plant and care for them?

Beans dislike cold, wet soil. Plant after frost danger has passed and soil has warmed, using the depth and spacing recommended for your variety. Seed may be treated or untreated, so read the label and keep treated seed away from children and animals.

Beans need modest fertility and are sensitive to excess nitrogen. Inoculant products can help in fields new to beans, and your extension office can advise whether you need one.

Do not work among wet bean plants, since walking through them can spread disease from leaf to leaf. Wait until foliage is dry before cultivating or scouting.

How do I manage weeds and water?

Beans are poor competitors early on, so cultivate early and keep the field clean until the canopy closes. Avoid working in wet fields, since moisture helps disease spread on leaves.

Dry spells during flowering and pod fill can reduce yield, while very wet conditions encourage disease. Good drainage is as important as irrigation.

Avoid spraying or cultivating during flowering when you can, since flower drop reduces pod set. Check moisture in the root zone rather than relying on leaf appearance.

• Cultivate while weeds are small
• Avoid working in wet bean fields
• Keep water even at flowering and pod fill
• Choose well drained fields

What pests and diseases should I expect?

Bean leaf beetles, aphids, Mexican bean beetle, deer, and rabbits can damage stands. Diseases such as white mold, rust, and bacterial blights occur in wet seasons. Rotation, clean seed, and resistant varieties lower risk.

Have problems identified before treating, and ask your extension office about local pests.

Remove or bury crop residue after harvest and rotate beans away from the same field for a few seasons to cut disease carryover.

When and how do I harvest and dry them?

Beans are ready when pods are dry and rattle and leaves have dropped. Pull or cut plants and finish drying under cover, away from rain. Threshing can be done by flailing, treading on a tarp, or with a small thresher, then winnowing to remove chaff.

Beans must be fully dry before storage, or they can mold. Ask your extension office how to judge dryness, and do not rely on guesswork.

Pick out split, moldy, or discolored beans after threshing. A final hand sort improves quality and food safety, and it is easy work for helpers on a rainy day.

How do I store them safely?

Store clean, dry beans in tight containers in a cool, dry place. Protect them from rodents and insects, and check regularly. Freeze small batches if you worry about weevils, following extension advice.

Discard any beans that smell musty or show mold. Cook dry beans thoroughly, as raw or undercooked beans of some types can make people sick. Ask the National Center for Home Food Preservation or your extension office for safe cooking and storage guidance.

• Clean, dry beans only
• Tight containers
• Cool, dry storage away from rodents
• Check regularly for damp and pests

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.