How many bean plants would I need?

[Ariel301]

I'd like to grow some beans for drying, as my family uses a lot of dried beans. I'm interested in pinto, black, and/or red beans, since that is what we use most. I know we probably won't be able to grow all that we would use in a year right now (we go through LOTS, my husband sometimes makes 5 gallons of refried beans at a time and freezes them!), but I have never grown beans for this purpose and have no idea how much to expect from each plant. Can anyone give me an idea how many plants or what size row/patch I would want per pound of beans I would like to harvest? I am sure it depends a lot on the individual type of bean and the climate, but a rough estimate would be a good starting point. Thanks!

 

[vfem]

Oh, well if it helps I just harvested black beans off of one plant and got 8 oz of beans. So think of it at MOST 1/2 lb per plant. If that helps at all.

 

[ducks4you]

How many beans does that make? I want to freeze the beans I've discovered on the vine this weekend, and I'm measuring them by the amount that fit in a serving bowl--how would that translate, vfem?

 

[Ariel301]

8 ounces per plant? That's actually more than I anticipated. I figure it will probably be a bit less than that here since we have so many issues going against having a garden here in the desert.

 

[vfem]

As stated in my bean section, this suckers grow and dry quickly! In warm climates I don't see why each year, rather then alloting a ton of space, grow a reasonable amount in a smaller space, and then do a second and maybe even 3rd planting to get as much as you can while rotating other plants around and you will be adding valueable nitrogen as well as getting 2-3 times the amount of beans! Since your saving them for winter storage, its good to use the whole summer to get a few bags worth in.

Ducks, I would assume its a couple of lbs in a bowl. How much does one of those small bags of dried beans at the store weigh? It would take what, 6 plants maybe to fill a bowl?

(Ps. - the 8oz of beans weren't shelled there was an 1 1/2 oz worth of shell on them... but I still have beans on that plant not dry... so I'm sticking with 8oz.)

 

[Ariel301]

Hmm, maybe I can grow all the beans we need...I could probably get three crops here. That sort of bean likes cooler weather, I'm guessing, like peas and green beans? If so, I could grow it fall/winter/spring/early summer until it gets 110+ degrees in July.

 

[NurseNettie]

Wow!!! Do you know, I was thinking about this very subject on the way to work today? I was curious how many dried beans a plant produces on average- because I want to plant some for drying!! So glad you posted this!

I'd like to grow some beans for drying, as my family uses a lot of dried beans. I'm interested in pinto, black, and/or red beans, since that is what we use most. I know we probably won't be able to grow all that we would use in a year right now (we go through LOTS, my husband sometimes makes 5 gallons of refried beans at a time and freezes them!), but I have never grown beans for this purpose and have no idea how much to expect from each plant. Can anyone give me an idea how many plants or what size row/patch I would want per pound of beans I would like to harvest? I am sure it depends a lot on the individual type of bean and the climate, but a rough estimate would be a good starting point. Thanks!