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Beans · Phaseolus vulgaris 'Borlotto'

Borlotto Bush Bean

Borlotto Bush Bean is a plump, curved pods bean with fruit around 5-6 inches long. Ready from roughly day 60-70. Germination takes 7-10 days. Space 4-6 inches apart at pH 6.0-7.0. Full sun (6+ hours). It will crop in a container.

Beans
60-70days to harvest
7-10days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct sow after soil reaches 60°F and frost danger passes. Plant 1-2 inches deep.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
1 inch per week, reduce watering as pods mature
Soil
Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
4-6 inches
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Cream pods with red speckles and streaks
Size
5-6 inches long
Shape
Plump, curved pods
Flavour
Nutty, creamy texture when mature, sweet and tender when young

In the kitchen

Young pods as snap beans, mature beans for Italian dishes, minestrone, salads, and rustic stews.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Bean fly, aphids, spider mites, bean seed fly
Diseases
Halo blight, common bacterial blight, bean rust
Resistance
Good general disease resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
2——June – AugustSeptember
3——June – JulySeptember – October
4——June – JulyAugust – October
5——May – JuneAugust – October
6——May – JuneAugust – September
7——April – JuneJuly – September
8——April – MayJuly – August
9——March – AprilJune – July
10——February – AprilMay – July
11——January – MarchApril – June
12——January – MarchApril – June
13——January – MarchApril – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor
MarigoldDeters Mexican bean beetles and nematodes with natural compounds
NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
CarrotsBeans fix nitrogen for carrots while carrots loosen soil for bean roots
LettuceProvides ground cover to retain moisture and suppress weeds
RadishQuick-growing radishes break up soil and are harvested before beans need space
Summer SavoryRepels bean beetles and may enhance bean growth and flavor
CornProvides windbreak protection and benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans

Avoid

OnionsCan inhibit bean growth through allelopathic compounds in root zone
FennelReleases chemicals that stunt growth of beans and most other vegetables
SunflowersAllelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Protein (g)
1.97
Fat (g)
0.275
Carbohydrate (g)
7.41
Fibre (g)
3.01
Vitamin K (µg)
43.9
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.121
Calcium (mg)
40
Iron (mg)
0.652
Magnesium (mg)
28.2
Phosphorus (mg)
41.2
Potassium (mg)
290
Zinc (mg)
0.35
← PreviousGolden Wax Bush Bean Next →Bush Romano Italian

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the beans growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

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Similar varieties

Other beans with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Borlotto Bush Bean suits these too.

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