Minimum Seed Count: 20

Mbombo Bean is a rare African heirloom dry bean known for its deep emerald-green color, making it a visually unique bean to grow. The beans are smooth, uniform, and stay green colored even after drying. Plants grow as sturdy semi-runners, producing long pods filled with brilliant green seeds that stand out in any heirloom collection. The cooked beans turn creamy and mild, perfect for soups, stews, or mixed bean dishes. Highly productive, heat-tolerant, and dependable, this is an eye-catching variety for growers who love unusual colors and strong yields.

🌱 Planting Guide

When to Plant

• Direct sow after your last frost

• Soil temperature: 60–70°F minimum

• Warm soil = faster germination

How to Plant

• Depth: 1 inch

• Spacing: 3–4 inches apart

• Row spacing: 18–24 inches

• Support: Benefits from a short trellis or netting (semi-runner habit)

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun (6–8+ hrs/day)

• Soil: Well-draining, moderately fertile

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers to prevent leafy growth over pods

Care Tips

• Keep soil consistently moist until flowering

• Reduce watering slightly as pods dry down

• Mulch to keep moisture in and prevent weeds

• Beans fix nitrogen naturally — minimal feeding needed

Harvest

Dry beans:

• Allow pods to dry completely on the vine

• Harvest when pods are papery and seeds feel firm

• Finish drying indoors if weather turns wet

Fresh shelling beans:

• Pick when pods are full and green before drying begins

Storage

• Store fully dry beans in airtight containers

• Freeze beans for 48 hours before long-term storage to prevent pests