Light Red Kidney Bush Bean is a compact, high-yielding dry bean that thrives in cool climates where other beans struggle. This northeastern favorite produces large, pale-red beans in just 95 days, a remarkably short timeline that makes it one of the most reliable kidney beans for unpredictable growing seasons. Bush-habit plants reach just 20 inches tall and space efficiently at 8 inches apart, fitting easily into small gardens. Unlike the year-old beans in grocery stores, homegrown Light Red Kidneys require less soaking and deliver a nutty, complex flavor that will surprise anyone accustomed to supermarket varieties.
Full Sun
Moderate
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20in H x 8in W
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Low
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Fresh-harvested dry beans taste dramatically different from their aged supermarket counterparts, and this variety's shorter maturity window means you'll actually succeed in northern climates where heat-loving beans often fail. The pale-red beans are large and uniform, and their reduced soaking time makes them practical for weeknight cooking. Plant them in full sun with moderate water and well-draining soil, and you'll have abundant yields ready for storage by late summer.
Light Red Kidney Beans are grown as dry beans for storage and winter cooking. Harvest and dry them fully, then use them in soups, stews, chilis, and bean salads. Their reduced soaking time compared to aged grocery store beans makes them especially practical for quick weeknight meals.
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Direct sow after the last frost when soil temperature reaches 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant seeds 8 inches apart in rows spaced 24 inches apart.
Harvest pods when they turn brown and papery, typically around 95 days after planting. Leave beans on the plant until fully dry if weather permits, or pull entire plants and hang them in a warm, dry place to finish drying. Crack open pods to reveal the large, pale-red beans inside, then store in a cool, dry location.
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