There are few things as versatile as beans. You can use them to make a hearty soup, a flavorful stew, or a filling main dish. You can even use them to make a delicious dessert! We’re all familiar with the dried beans we get from the grocery store. They’re everywhere, and they’re cheap. But can you actually grow beans from dried beans?
Surprisingly, you can? You can make those dried beans sold at most grocery stores sprout. However, there’s one thing that you should remember.
Only fresh beans will germinate. This means that if the dried beans are too old, they won’t germinate. Therefore, you want to ensure that you get a fresh batch of dried beans from the produce department to grow your own beans successfully.
Important Things You Need to Know When Sprouting or Germinating Dry Beans
There’s nothing more fulfilling and exciting than growing your own food. It doesn’t matter if it’s a tomato plant or a bean plant, the feeling is always the same.
The great thing about beans is that they’re relatively easy to grow. You don’t need much space or experience to grow them successfully. All you need is some patience and time. However, you must know a few things before you start growing your own beans.
You Need Fresh Dry Beans
As mentioned earlier, those that are already bagged or canned won’t work. You need to get your hands on some fresh dry beans. You can usually find them in the produce department of your grocery store or in any bulk food store.
You also have the option of buying them online. There are plenty of websites that sell dried beans, so you’ll have no trouble finding a supplier.
50-50 Chance of Germinating
Unlike other seeds, there’s only a 50% chance that your dried beans will sprout. This is because some of the beans are old and no longer viable. You may not know how long these beans have been sitting on the grocery store shelves, so it’s best to just assume that half of them won’t sprout.
Additionally, those beans that haven’t undergone the proper drying process won’t sprout either.
Raw Beans May Be Contaminated with Bacteria
Another thing to keep in mind is that raw beans may be contaminated with bacteria. So whether growing them or buying them from the store, there’s always a chance that the beans are contaminated.
This is why it’s important to cook your beans thoroughly before eating them. Cooking them will kill any bacteria that may be present.
If you’re planning on sprouting your own beans, make sure to wash them thoroughly before doing so.
Germinating from Dry Beans: Getting Started
Once you’ve decided to grow your own beans, it’s time to get started. Here’s what you need to do:
Gather Everything You Need
For this, you’ll need your dried beans, planting tray or cups, and a light potting mix. Your planting tray should preferably have a humidity cover. Otherwise, you can always use plastic wrap to create your own humidity dome.
You’ll also need a spray bottle filled with water and some patience.
Fill Your Planting Tray or Cups with Potting Mix
Fill your planting tray or cups with potting mix until it’s about halfway full. You don’t want to fill it up all the way since you’ll need to add more potting mix later on.
Place Your Beans in the Planting Tray or Cups
Once you have your plant tray or cups filled with potting mix, it’s time to add your beans. Before doing so, gently moisten the potting mix. This will help your beans to germinate faster.
After the potting mix is moistened, add your beans. You can either plant them individually or in groups. It’s up to you. Just make sure that they’re not too close together.
Cover the Beans with a Thin Layer of Soil
Once you’ve added your beans, it’s time to cover them with a thin layer of soil. This will help to keep them in place and prevent them from drying out.
Water the Beans Gently
Now that you’ve added your beans, it’s time to water them gently. You don’t want to soak the potting mix since this can cause the beans to rot. Use a water sprayer or a watering can with a small hole in the spout.
Place the Planting Tray or Cups in a Warm, Bright Place
Now that you’ve watered your beans, it’s time to place them in a warm, bright place. The ideal temperature for germinating beans is between 68-86 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can’t find a place that’s this warm, you can always use a heat mat.
Keep Misting
Leaving out the soil to dry out will prevent the beans from germinating. So, make sure to mist them often. While doing so, remember not to disturb the soil and beans too much. Repeat the process until you see the seedlings poking through the soil.
Bonus Tips
To help your beans germinate faster, here are a few bonus tips:
- Ensure your beans are kept hydrated and are in a room that has a consistent temperature throughout the day.
- If you’re growing multiple varieties of beans, it’s a good idea to label them. This will help you keep track of which beans are germinating and which ones aren’t.
- Place the beans in a secure location where animals or children can’t get to them.
- Never attempt to sprout and grow beans that have been treated with chemicals. These beans won’t germinate, and you’ll just be wasting your time. The same thing goes with older dried beans.
- Never let the soil dry up. Dry soil is one of the main reasons why beans stop germinating.
- Don’t plant deeply. Just enough to cover them with a thin layer of soil is all you need
Can You Grow Beans from Dried Beans: Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wanted to have your consistent supply of fresh beans, then growing them from dried beans is the way to go. It’s not as difficult as it may seem, and with a little bit of patience, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying fresh beans with the dried beans that you probably have in your pantry right now.
Give it a try, and let us know how it goes in the comments below!
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