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You can grow pinto beans by planting dried beans in warm soil, giving them full sun, and keeping them consistently watered until harvest.
These beans are one of the easiest legumes to grow at home, whether you have a big garden bed or just a few containers on your patio.
If you’ve ever wondered how do you grow pinto beans from scratch, the answer is simpler than you might think.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to grow pinto beans step by step, from choosing the right spot to knowing exactly when to pick them.
Let’s dig in.
How Do You Grow Pinto Beans? A Simple Answer
You grow pinto beans by starting with dry beans from the grocery store or a seed packet and giving them the right conditions to thrive.
Pinto beans are warm-season crops, so they need soil that’s warmed up to at least 60°F before you plant them.
They grow as bushy plants or short vines, depending on the variety, and they don’t need much fuss once they get going.
The whole process takes about 90 to 150 days from planting to harvest, depending on your climate and the variety you choose.
Here’s what you need to know to grow pinto beans successfully.
1. Pick the Right Spot and Soil
Pinto beans grow best in full sun, which means at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.
They aren’t picky about soil type, but they do need well-draining soil that isn’t too heavy with clay.
If your soil is compacted, mix in some compost or aged manure to loosen it up before planting.
The ideal soil pH for growing pinto beans is between 6.0 and 7.0, so a quick soil test can save you a lot of guesswork.
2. Plant at the Right Time
Timing matters when you grow pinto beans because they hate cold soil.
Wait until two to three weeks after your last frost date, when nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F.
Plant the dried beans about one inch deep and two to four inches apart in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart.
If you’re growing pinto beans in containers, use a pot that’s at least 12 inches deep and wide enough to hold a few plants.
3. Water Wisely
Pinto beans need about one inch of water per week, either from rain or from your hose.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than giving them a light sprinkle every day.
This encourages deep roots, which makes the plants more drought-tolerant as they grow.
Once the pods start filling out, don’t let the soil dry out completely, or you’ll end up with tough, poorly filled beans.
4. Keep Weeds and Pests Away
Young pinto bean plants don’t compete well with weeds, so keep the area around them clean.
Mulching around the plants helps suppress weeds and keeps moisture in the soil.
Watch out for common pests like aphids, bean beetles, and spider mites.
A strong blast of water from the hose usually knocks aphids off, and row covers can protect young seedlings from hungry insects.
How Do You Grow Pinto Beans From Seed to Harvest?
Growing pinto beans from seed to harvest is a waiting game, but it’s a rewarding one.
Once you plant your beans, they’ll sprout in about eight to fourteen days if the soil is warm enough.
The plants will grow steadily, flowering about six to eight weeks after planting.
Those flowers turn into pods, and the pods are where your pinto beans develop.
1. Know When to Harvest
You can harvest pinto beans at two stages: fresh or dry.
For fresh beans, pick the pods when they’re full but still green and tender, usually about 70 to 90 days after planting.
For dry beans, which is how most people grow pinto beans, wait until the pods turn brown and dry on the plant.
The beans inside should rattle when you shake the pod, which means they’re ready.
2. Harvest and Dry Properly
If you’re going for dry beans, pull the entire plant or cut it at the base once most pods are brown.
Hang the plants upside down in a dry, well-ventilated spot for about two weeks.
Once the pods are completely dry and brittle, shell the beans by hand or by gently crushing the pods.
Spread the shelled beans out in a single layer to dry for another few days before storing them.
3. Store Your Harvest
Store dried pinto beans in airtight jars or containers in a cool, dark place.
They’ll keep for up to a year, sometimes longer if stored properly.
If you grew pinto beans for fresh eating, use them within a week or freeze them for later.
Common Mistakes When You Grow Pinto Beans
Even though pinto beans are low-maintenance, a few mistakes can tank your harvest.
Planting too early in cold soil is the number one reason beans rot before they sprout.
Overwatering is another big one, especially in heavy soil, because soggy roots lead to root rot.
And if you forget to harvest dry beans promptly, the pods can split and drop their beans right onto the ground.
So, How Do You Grow Pinto Beans?
You grow pinto beans by planting dried beans in warm, well-draining soil, giving them full sun and steady water, and waiting patiently for the pods to dry.
It’s a straightforward process that even beginner gardeners can master.
Whether you grow pinto beans for fresh shelling or for a pantry full of dried beans, the effort is worth it.
So grab a handful of dried pinto beans, find a sunny spot, and give it a go.
Happy gardening.