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How to Grow Borlotti Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

Tender Warm Season Continuous Harvest

When to Start

Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 10°C and soil has warmed to at least 12°C.

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Growth Stages

Sow seeds
Germination ~10d
Flowering ~50d
Fruiting ~65d
Harvest ~90d

Approximate days from start

Care Essentials

  • Rarely needed — beans fix their own nitrogen. A light compost mulch at planting is sufficient.
  • A dual-purpose bean — excellent fresh-shelled or dried for winter soups. Needs a long warm season. Start indoors in cooler climates.

Companion Planting

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Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature: 12°C+
Germination temperature: 12–30°C

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Spacing & Planting

Plant spacing 15 cm
Row spacing 45 cm
Sow depth 4 cm
Mature height 200 cm
Mature spread 30 cm

Climbing varieties need support with canes or netting. Dwarf varieties can be grown without support at closer spacing.

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Care Guide

Feeding
Rarely needed — beans fix their own nitrogen. A light compost mulch at planting is sufficient.
Watch for
  • Blackfly
  • Slugs on seedlings
  • Halo blight
  • Red spider mite

Pests & Diseases

Pest Black Bean Aphid

Identification: Dense colonies of black insects on shoot tips and young pods

Organic treatment:
  • Pinch out infested tips
  • Spray with water
  • Encourage ladybirds
Chemical treatment:
  • Fatty acid sprays
Pest Slugs

Identification: Seedlings eaten at ground level, slime trails visible

Organic treatment:
  • Beer traps
  • Copper tape
  • Evening patrols
Chemical treatment:
  • Ferric phosphate pellets
Disease Halo Blight Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola

Symptoms: Dark spots surrounded by a yellow halo on leaves. Water-soaked spots on pods.

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants. Do not save seed from infected crops.

Prevention: Use certified disease-free seed. Avoid overhead watering. Do not work among wet plants.

Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature12°C
Germination temperature12–30°C
Base growth temperature10°C
Min. daylength to start11h
Photoperiod sensitivityday neutral

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Borlotti Bean?
Plant Borlotti Bean 15cm apart with 45cm between rows.
When can I harvest Borlotti Bean?
Borlotti Bean is ready to harvest approximately 70 days after transplanting.
Is Borlotti Bean frost hardy?
Borlotti Bean is classified as Tender.

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