Description

Black Turtle Bean is a classic heirloom dry bean variety prized for its glossy black beans, rich earthy flavor, and dependable garden performance. Compact plants produce abundant pods filled with small, nutrient-rich beans that are highly valued in Latin American, Caribbean, and Southwestern cooking. Its excellent storage qualities and versatile culinary uses make it a favorite for home gardens and pantry harvests alike.

Black Turtle Bean offers a hearty, slightly sweet flavor with a dense, creamy texture when cooked. The beans hold their shape well while developing a smooth consistency ideal for soups, burritos, rice dishes, chili, refried beans, and traditional black bean recipes. Their rich taste and high protein content make them both flavorful and satisfying.

Productive bush plants grow vigorously in warm weather and mature reliably over a long growing season. Pods dry naturally on the plant as harvest time approaches, making them easy to collect and shell for storage. If you’re looking for a dependable heirloom dry bean with exceptional flavor and excellent keeping qualities, Black Turtle Bean is an outstanding choice for the vegetable garden.

• Type: Open-pollinated annual (heirloom)
• Direct sow: After last frost when soil is warm
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 4–6 inches
• Height: 18–24 inches
• Days to harvest: 90–100 days for dry beans

Dry beans thrive in warm weather and fertile, well-drained soil with moderate moisture during early growth and flowering. Sow seeds directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed. Avoid excessive fertilization, especially with nitrogen, which can reduce pod production. Allow pods to dry fully on the plants before harvesting. Once harvested, shell the beans and store them in a cool, dry place for long-term use.

Additional information