Hand holding a handful of red beans against a white background

Phaseolus vulgaris

Dry Shelling Beans

Dry shelling beans are mature, dried pods harvested for long-keeping seeds like pinto or navy, perfect for soups, stews, and hearty meals. Learn how to grow dry shelling beans.

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The Growing Guide

Soil Temp for Germ 60–85°F
Seed Depth 1"
Seed Spacing 2–4"
Days to Emergence 8–16
Thin Plants to 4"
Row Spacing 18–36"
Fertilizer Needs Low
Minimum Germination 80%
Seeds per Ounce Listed per variety
Seed Life 2–3 years

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More About The Seeds & Plants

Key to Dry Shelling Bean Disease Resistance & Tolerance

Anthracnose Fungal disease causing dark, sunken lesions on plants.
Bacterial Blight Bacterial disease causing water-soaked spots and wilting.
Bacterial Leaf Spot Bacterial disease causing dark, wet spots on leaves.
Bean Mosaic Virus Viral disease causing mottled, distorted bean leaves.
Curly Top Beet Mosaic Virus Viral disease causing curled, mottled beet leaves.
Downy Mildew
Halo Blight Bacterial disease causing haloed spots, bean wilting.
Powdery Mildew
Pod Mottle Virus Viral disease causing mottled, discolored bean pods.
Common Rust Fungal disease causing orange pustules on leaves.

* Numbers indicate specific disease race.

More About

Phaseolus vulgaris

Rich and flavorful beans are fiber-packed veggies that promote digestive health and are excellent sources of antioxidants that scavenge free radicals in the body. They are also nitrogen-fixing legumes; beans gather nitrogen from the air and load it into the soil to feed future crops.

Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding.

Culture
• Beans are shallow rooted and can require up to 1/4 inch of water a day during hot weather
• Optimum soil pH is 5.5-6.5, mildly acidic
• Apply 1 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet, and 1 inch of compost

Direct Sowing
• One ounce of seed sows 10-20 row feet
• Grow Pole, Runner, and Yard Long beans on trellises

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: Mexican bean beetles and bean weevils
• Insect control: Pyrethrin
• Common diseases: See chart below
• Disease prevention: Avoid wetting the foliage, remove plants at the end of the year, 3-4 year crop rotation

Harvest & Storage
• Days to maturity are for the fresh shell stage
• Shelling beans: Pick when fully formed but still soft and green
• Dry beans can be harvested once the plant has yellowed and the leaves begin to drop. Beans should rattle inside the pods. Harvest before the pods begin to shatter in the field
• Harvest the entire plant and hang upside down to dry until the pods are brittle
• If weather prevents field drying, pull plants and dry inside on a tarp, turning pile daily for even drying
• To thresh dry beans: When material is brittle dry, place material in bag and swing against a hard surface, or beat with a stick or rake on a tarp
• Beans can be removed from the harvested pods by hand, by winnowing, or by placing the pods in a container and shaking vigorously
• Make sure beans are fully dry, then store in a cool place
• When kept in regular food-grade containers, such as mason jars or resealable plastic bags, they can be stored for a year. For longer term storage, place in sealed buckets, Mylar bags, or vacuum-sealed containers with oxygen absorbers; they can be stored this way for a decade or longer
• Bean weevils may be eliminated by freezing the seed near 0°F for 2 weeks

What We’re Growing at Home

Employee Favorite Dry Shelling Bean

Cannellini Lingot is our "employee favorite" dry shelling bean thanks to its smooth, creamy texture and delicate, nutty flavor that elevates soups, stews, and salads. Its compact plants produce reliable, high-quality beans, making it easy to grow. The versatility and dependable harvest make it a staff favorite.

Top view of Cannellini Lingot dry beans showing smooth white, kidney-shaped seeds on a white background

Cannellini Lingot Bean

Vegetable | dry shelling bean | dry shelling

From $9.95

85 days. A favorite staple in Italian cuisine, and a key ingredient in minestrone soup, this rich, meaty, white, kidney bean is delicious and satisfying when cooked. Our variety produces delectable, hearty beans in 6–8 inch pods. Cannellini Lingot is a half-runner, and can throw vines in some climates. Seeds per ounce: 45.