Dry Bean Varieties

• The common dry bean varieties include the pinto, horticultural, blackeyed pea, kidney, black bean and lima. The lima bean, which can be harvested fresh or dry, is available in bush or pole varieties. The pole variety would require a trellis. All other varieties are similar to bush beans and grow without trellis support.
  
  

Planting

• Bean seeds are planted about 3 inches apart in rows that are about 24 inches apart. Gardeners commonly plant the bean seeds about 1 week before the last anticipated frost. Bean seed germination and emergence occurs in about 10 days if soil temperatures are above 65 degrees F.
  
  

Maturity

• Some of the specialized dry bean varieties mature late in the season. The horticultural bean is also known as the October bean for its maturity dates. Other dry beans require as much as 100 days between planting and harvest. Plant dry beans early, especially in short growing season areas, to assure the crop has time to mature.
  
  

Harvest

• Monitor the plants until the pods are dry. Pull the entire plant and lay it in the garden for about a week to dry. This drying period may need to be shortened if rain occurs. Pick the pods from the plants and hand shell the seeds away from the remnants of the pod and any plant debris.