I've been wondering why we mainly see green beans in seed packets at the stores while varieties like black beans and kidney beans are so hard to find. Are these other beans tougher to grow? I've also noticed I can buy them on Amazon, but it seems odd not to find them in local garden stores. Can I actually use dried black beans or kidney beans from the grocery store for planting?
5 Answers
Totally! I grew beans from store-bought bags and they were just as easy to grow as green beans. I use them mainly as a cover crop to help fix nitrogen due to my limited garden space, but give it a shot! You might be surprised by how well they do.
You can absolutely use those big bags of beans or peas from the grocery store as seed stock. Back in elementary school, we used to grow pinto beans - they were super popular for school projects and worked just fine!
If you're looking for variety, check out places like Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company or Seed Savers. They have a ton of different bean seeds you won't find at most stores!
I think a lot of people just focus on green beans since they’re quick and easy to grow and take up less space. But if you want to grow kidney beans or others, go for it! My son has had fun with his pinto bean plants this summer!
Yes, you can definitely plant beans from the grocery store! I’ve had success growing navy beans from a bag I bought. Some local nurseries may also carry different types of beans. It's worth checking out!
That’s awesome! I’m actually growing limas this season, and they’re super tasty!