Pinto Beans

[zazen999]

YES! She shoots and she scores.

I've tried loads of times to germinate pinto beans from the packet; and all of them rotted. i use loads, as we have chili every week and I don't use kidney beans, so trying to grow pinto beans to store for the winter.

I put another 3 in kitchen roll and cling film only Wednesday and 2 have germinated.

Anyone grown them here before and have any tips? Otherwise I'll just treat like usual beans.

That's made my day that has.

[suibhne]

I'd agree with you there. I generally go through a packet a week making mexican food.

Did you have any luck with growing them in the UK or are there any beans a lot like pintos which can grow here ?

Would love to know

Thanks.

[Flummery]

I like borlotti for that pupose - and you CAN grow them here!

[Finedon.Dandy]

Why pinto? I enjoy a chilli (mild though as I am a wimp) but just use tinned (sorry but yes) kidney beans which I dont like too many of. How does their texture/taste differ please?

[allotmentlady]

put them in an airing cupboard on damp kitchen roll, they prefer in my experience to germinate in dark and warmth, check afer 3-4 days xxx

[DavidM31]

I like borlotti for that pupose - and you CAN grow them here!

I grow lots of these, as we love them in all sorts of things, including chilli

[zazen999]

Sorry, missed this somehow.

I'd agree with you there. I generally go through a packet a week making mexican food.

Did you have any luck with growing them in the UK or are there any beans a lot like pintos which can grow here ?

Would love to know

Thanks.

Yes, they grew as dwarf so only 18 inches high, and gave me enough beans for chillis until a few weeks ago. I froze the beans as they were depodded.

Why pinto? I enjoy a chilli (mild though as I am a wimp) but just use tinned (sorry but yes) kidney beans which I dont like too many of. How does their texture/taste differ please?

Much superior with chilli in my opinion. Have you ever had refried beans? These are the beans they use to make them.
Chilli powder, garlic, cumin and a dusting of cocoa powder, with pinto beans rather than kidney beans...much improves any chilli.

Yum yum, and it's chilli night again tomorrow after college.

[Two_Sheds]

I pre-germinate (chit?) all my peas & beans just as I would grow sprouting seeds:

1) soak overnight in cold water
2) rinse in clean water
3) rinse twice a day until sprouted

On a windowsill. No mess, no fuss

[womble]

. I froze the beans as they were depodded.

Did you soak them when you unfroze them, or just cook them as per fresh shelled beans?

[Flummery]

If you collect 'shelly' beans when they are just mature but not dried, you just cook them as fresh. I freeze them like this - no blanching - then grab a bag from the freezer to use in chilli or pork & bean casseroles. They're brilliant - I'm growing more shelly beans this year.

[smallblueplanet]

What type are you growing Flum? I lurve shelly beans!

[zazen999]

Did you soak them when you unfroze them, or just cook them as per fresh shelled beans?

What Flum said....10 mins or more boiling if they are frozen straight from the pod. More in chillis as they give a better texture when softer.

[bramble]

Hi All, Have never grown pinto beans before so a few questions (probably silly) but here goes.
Are these on sale labelled as pinto beans, only I have never seen them.
What colour are the beans when cooked only OH does'nt like anything that looks "different"
Can someone give me the name of the variety that grows just 18inches.
Any more info greatfully received.
Thanks in advance.

[zazen999]

pinto beans - Google Image Search

they are brown speckled, but go pinky when cooked. You can get them in packets dried, or in tins - sainsburys, tescos and even co-op sell them. Mexican foods use them alot, which is where I first had them and I was hooked.

The variety that grows to 18 inches, is pinto beans! just the normal beans, taken out of a packet of dried pinto beans bought at the supermarket. Start them off as two_sheds says, by sprouting them. then plant - root downwards, into a pot and put outside once the weather has warmed up.

There are other shelly beans available, not called 'pinto', but some have different markings. A very popular speckled variety are 'borlotti' beans, but these are a climber and can get a good 6 feet tall.

[Flummery]

What type are you growing Flum? I lurve shelly beans!

I've still got a few borlottis from last year, but I'm growing a couple of wigwams of heritage Bird's Egg. They were nicer in my opinion. I've also got some True Red Cranberry pole beans - like little maroon versions of the longer red kidney bean.