Beans

Beans

At Urban Farmer we supply several bean varieties that work for gardeners to small farm market growers. We trial all bean varieties and select only the best-tasting, most attractive, and best producing bean plants. Choose from bush beans, pole beans, lima beans, runner beans, shelling beans and stringless beans. Beans come in a variety of maturity dates, colors, shapes, sizes and taste!

Learn More

How to Grow Beans

Garbanzo beans are great for making homemade hummus. This unique heirloom variety produces delicious beans. Perfect for hummus and other Middle Eastern dishes. Also great for sprouting as well. Grow for a week and eat entire plant. Very nutritious! Contains vitamin A, C, calcium, iron and magnesium. Also known as chickpea. If using for sprouting they will be ready in 3-5 days.

Jacob’s Cattle Gold bean seeds produce robust bush plants that grow to about 18 to 24 inches tall and mature in approximately 85 to 95 days. A golden-hued variant of the traditional Jacob’s Cattle bean, this heirloom variety features beautiful tan seeds with maroon speckles and splashes. Renowned for their creamy texture and rich, slightly sweet flavor, Jacob’s Cattle Gold beans are ideal for baking, soups, and slow-cooked dishes. They perform well in a range of garden soils, thrive in full sun, and offer consistent yields, making them a favorite among home gardeners and heirloom collectors.

Dark Red Kidney beans are one of the most widely used beans in North America! Dark Red Kidney is a bush variety of dried bean. Each pod contains 5 large, red kidney shaped beans. If rain threatens before your beans are totally dry, pull the whole plant up, hang upside down in your barn/garage to let them finish drying. Once dry, these beans will store for a long time! This bean is often used in Mexican food.A perfect winter food full of protein straight from your own garden.

Christmas bean, scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris 'Christmas,' is a delightful and unique variety of green bean that adds a festive touch to holiday meals. This particular bean cultivar has a fascinating history dating back to the early 20th century when it was first developed by dedicated plant breeders. Its name, "Christmas bean," is derived from its vibrant red and green coloration, reminiscent of traditional holiday colors. In terms of taste, Christmas beans are known for their tender and crisp texture, making them a delightful addition to a variety of dishes. Their flavor is mildly sweet with a subtle nuttiness, making them a versatile choice for both cooking and salads. The beans typically mature in about 80 to 90 days, making them a relatively quick-growing option for gardeners. The pod size is medium to large, with an average length of 6-7 inches, perfect for harvesting when they are young and tender. Christmas bean plants need staked and can grow up 10' and higher! They are known for their disease resistance, particularly against common bean diseases such as rust and bean mosaic virus. When properly cared for, Christmas bean plants can yield an abundant harvest, with each plant producing a substantial number of pods. For optimal growth, they require well-drained soil, full sun exposure, and regular watering. Plant spacing should be about 4-6 inches apart in rows, and they thrive in a variety of climates, making them a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a festive touch to their holiday season while enjoying a bountiful harvest of delicious, colorful beans.  

The Light Red Kidney Bean is a popular kidney bean that has mild bean flavor! Excellent for chili, bean salads, and soups. Exceptional culinary quality, with silky texture and thin skin.  Plants grow to medium size that are sturdy and widely adapted. Produce well anywhere in the United States.

The Black Turtle Soup bean is very popular Latin favorite, that is also great in Cajun and Creole dishes. A tasty variety that grows upright with black beans inside the pod. Tall bush that keeps the bean pods off the ground.

Navy beans, scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris, are small, oval-shaped beans that are a popular and versatile member of the legume family. They are often referred to as navy beans due to their association with the United States Navy, where they were a staple food for sailors in the 19th century. These beans have a rich history dating back to ancient times when they were cultivated by indigenous peoples in the Americas. They were later introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers and became an essential part of global cuisine. Navy beans have a mild, nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture when cooked. They are known for their ability to absorb the flavors of the ingredients they are cooked with, making them a favorite in soups, stews, and baked bean dishes. These beans are typically small, about half an inch in length, and are usually white or off-white in color, although there are variations with speckled or colored coats. In terms of plant characteristics, navy bean plants are relatively compact, reaching a height of about 18 to 24 inches. They have a bushy growth habit and produce small, white or lavender flowers before developing pods that contain the beans. Navy beans typically take around 80 to 90 days to reach maturity, making them a relatively quick-growing crop. They thrive in well-drained soil with good moisture retention and prefer full sun for optimal growth. Adequate spacing and support may be needed to ensure healthy plant development, and they are generally grown as annuals in most regions.

Kenearly Yellow Eye bean seeds produce bush-type plants that grow to about 18 to 24 inches tall and are known for their high yields and disease resistance. These heirloom beans mature in approximately 85 to 95 days and are distinguished by their creamy white seeds with a distinct yellow "eye" marking. Valued for their mild, buttery flavor and smooth texture, Kenearly Yellow Eye beans are excellent for soups, stews, and baked dishes. They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, and their compact growth habit makes them easy to harvest and ideal for small garden spaces.

The great northern bean is an heirloom bean variety that is perfect for drying and using in different baked dishes. Semi-vining, 24 inch plants yield a prolific quantity of flat, 5 inch pods holding 5 to 6, large white beans.

Dapple Grey bean seeds grow into compact bush plants reaching about 18 to 24 inches in height and typically mature in 85 to 95 days. This heirloom dry bean variety is known for its eye-catching gray seeds mottled with darker streaks, giving it a distinctive “dappled” appearance. Dapple Grey beans have a rich, hearty flavor and a firm texture, making them a popular choice for soups, stews, and chili. Easy to grow and well-adapted to a variety of climates, these beans thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, offering reliable yields and excellent storage quality.

King of the Garden beans are a classic heirloom variety cherished for their robust growth and exceptional flavor. Developed in the early 20th century, this variety has a rich history in American gardens, particularly noted for its productivity. King of the Garden lima beans are characterized by their vigorous pole growth habit, often reaching heights of 6 to 8 feet, making them ideal for trellises or fences. The pods are typically long, smooth, and bright green, growing up to 7 inches in length. Known for their rich, buttery flavor and tender texture, these beans are perfect for fresh eating, canning, or freezing. Harvesting is best done in mid-summer to early fall when the pods are still young and firm to ensure optimal taste and quality. The plants are not only prolific but also exhibit good disease resistance, making them a reliable choice for gardeners. With their delightful flavor, impressive yield, and historical significance, King of the Garden beans continue to be a favorite among home gardeners and culinary enthusiasts alike.

Royal Burgundy beans, also known as purple bush beans, are a unique and visually striking variety of Phaseolus vulgaris, the common garden bean. These beans have a rich history dating back centuries, with their origins believed to be in Central and South America, where indigenous peoples cultivated various types of beans. The name "Royal Burgundy" reflects their regal appearance, as the pods and beans are a deep, royal purple color. They gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and have since become a favorite among gardeners and culinary enthusiasts alike. In terms of taste, Royal Burgundy beans offer a mild, slightly nutty flavor that is reminiscent of traditional green beans. However, their vibrant purple color adds a striking visual element to dishes, making them a popular choice for salads and garnishes. The pods are typically around 4-6 inches in length and are harvested when they are young and tender, before the seeds inside fully develop. Royal Burgundy bean plants are compact and bushy in nature, making them well-suited for smaller gardens and containers. They typically reach a height of about 18-24 inches. These beans are known for their relatively quick maturity, with most varieties ready for harvest in approximately 50-60 days after planting. Their vibrant purple color is not only appealing but also serves as a natural indicator of freshness. Royal Burgundy beans exhibit good resistance to common bean diseases such as bean mosaic virus and rust. When properly cared for, these plants can yield a bountiful harvest. Yields can vary, but on average, you can expect a productive harvest of 2-3 pounds of beans per plant. Plant spacing should be around 2-4 inches apart in rows that are spaced about 18-24 inches apart. They thrive in well-drained soil with full sun exposure and regular watering, making them a relatively easy and rewarding addition to any vegetable garden.

Chivo Blanco beans (Frijol Chivo Blanco) are a cherished heirloom variety native to Mexico, known for their small, white, and slightly oval-shaped beans. These beans are valued for their creamy texture and delicate flavor, making them perfect for a wide range of traditional Mexican dishes such as soups, stews, and frijoles de la olla (beans in a pot). The name "Chivo Blanco" refers to their smooth, pale appearance, and they are often praised for their ability to cook quickly and absorb seasonings well. Grown primarily in the central and southern regions of Mexico, Chivo Blanco beans are resilient to various growing conditions, thriving in both temperate and semi-arid climates. As an open-pollinated variety, they are ideal for sustainable farming and seed-saving, helping to preserve the rich agricultural heritage of Mexico while offering a reliable, nutritious source of protein for many households.

This high-producing variety delivers an extended harvest period on tall, upright plants that are both strong and vigorous. It sets large, well-filled pods—typically containing three seeds each—with excellent flavor, especially when steamed. Known for its impressive yields, it outperforms comparable varieties while maintaining strong resistance to lodging. An indeterminate bush type with light tan pubescence, it offers both reliability and outstanding garden performance.

The Pinto bean is a great tasting bean, very popular in many Mexican dishes! The Pinto bean plant is a half-runner type that produces 20 inch plants with light tan seeds with brown speckles. Eat young when green for delicious flavor. Great bean for using for refried beans.

The Vermont Cranberry Shell bean is an incredible bean variety that can be used as a snap, shell or dry bean. Cranberry Shell stores exceptionally well. Maroon colored beans are decorated with darker red, cranberry markings. This variety dates back to the 1800s and is well-suited to short-season, cool summer climates.

Amarillo beans (Frijol Amarillo) are a beloved heirloom variety in Mexican cuisine, known for their golden-yellow color and slightly sweet, earthy flavor. These beans are medium-sized, with a smooth texture that makes them perfect for use in a variety of traditional dishes, such as stews, soups, and frijoles de la olla. Their subtle flavor and creamy consistency when cooked make them a versatile ingredient in both savory and vegetarian meals. Grown primarily in the central and southern regions of Mexico, Amarillo beans are well-suited to a range of climates and soil types, offering resilience and a reliable yield. As an open-pollinated variety, they are ideal for sustainable farming practices and seed-saving, ensuring that this flavorful and nutritious bean continues to play an essential role in both Mexican agriculture and cuisine.

A beautifully bright and vibrant green bean that grows extra long when mature! Matures quick and has a delicious and crisp bite.