Black Turtle Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Black Turtle'
A classic dry bean variety prized for its rich, earthy flavor and meaty texture that makes it perfect for Latin American cuisine. These small, glossy black beans are incredibly nutritious and store exceptionally well, making them a pantry staple for home gardeners who want to grow their own protein source.
Harvest
90-100d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Black Turtle Bush Bean in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 bean →Zone Map
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Black Turtle Bush Bean · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | October – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | June – August |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Rattlesnake'Pole Snap Bean, 'Rattlesnake'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The boat-shaped seed pods are bilaterally symmetrical and can be green, yellow, white, or purple at maturity. There is a wide variety of color and shape choices among cultivars.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender, White. Type: Legume. Length: > 3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Good Dried
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Storage & Preservation
Store completely dried black turtle beans in airtight containers in a cool, dark location. Properly dried beans will keep for 2-3 years, though they're best used within the first year for optimal flavor and cooking time. Before storage, freeze beans for 48 hours to eliminate any potential weevil eggs.
For long-term storage, vacuum-sealed bags or glass jars with oxygen absorbers work excellently. You can also pressure can cooked beans following USDA guidelines – cook beans until tender, then process pints for 75 minutes at 11 pounds pressure. Avoid freezing cooked black beans as they tend to become mushy upon thawing, though they work fine in soups and stews after freezing.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical America
Advantages
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigold
Repels Mexican bean beetles and nematodes, attracts beneficial insects
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels bean beetles
Corn
Provides natural support structure for climbing beans in Three Sisters planting
Summer Squash
Ground cover reduces weeds, part of traditional Three Sisters companion planting
Carrots
Beans fix nitrogen which carrots need, carrots don't compete for same soil space
Radishes
Break up soil for bean roots, mature quickly before beans need full space
Cucumber
Both benefit from similar growing conditions and beans provide nitrogen
Rosemary
Repels bean beetles and other pests with strong aromatic oils
Keep Apart
Onions
Can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation by soil bacteria
Garlic
Allelopathic compounds can stunt bean growth and reduce yields
Sunflower
Competes heavily for nutrients and water, can shade out beans
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346400)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to common bacterial blight and bean mosaic virus
Common Pests
Mexican bean beetle, aphids, bean leaf beetle
Diseases
Anthracnose, bacterial blight, white mold