Beans
Seed # 191
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 191
- Seed Name
- Beans
- Variety
- Small Red
- Category
- Vegetable
- Plant Family
- Fabaceae
- Plant Type
- Semi-bush dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- May 19
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jul 15
- Plantable Months
- May, June, July
- Indoor Start
- Not recorded
- Direct Sow
- May 19 – Jul 15
- Transplant
- Not Recommended
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not Recommended
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not Recommended
- Germination Days
- 7–10 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 75 days to dry bean harvest
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 60°F+
- Planting Depth
- 1 in
- Plant Spacing
- 4-6 in
- Row Spacing
- 24-36 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- Not recorded
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- Maintain moderate moisture during active growth and flowering; allow pods to dry toward maturity
- Soil Preference
- Well-drained soil with moderate fertility
- Minimum Container Size
- Not recorded
- Plant Height
- About 14 in
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Carrots | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Carrots | Good Companion | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- Southern Exposure Seed Exchange; Everwilde Farms; MSU Extension
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow after soil warms
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 25
Germination Time: About 7–10 days in warm soil
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 75–95 days; 'Small Red' strains vary
Container Friendly: Possible, but beds/ground are more efficient for a useful dry-bean harvest
Pollinator Friendly: Somewhat; mostly self-pollinating
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary dry bean
Perennial?: No; annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: One main planting is best so pods have enough season to dry fully.
Zone 6B Notes: Plant early enough for pods to dry before cool, wet fall weather and frost.
Companion Plants: Corn, squash, cucumbers, carrots
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Allow pods to mature and dry before storage. Avoid cold/wet soil; rotate legumes to reduce disease. The label 'Small Red' is used for more than one strain, so exact maturity can vary.
Sources: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange: https://www.southernexposure.com/products/small-red-bush-dry-bean/ | Everwilde Farms: https://www.everwilde.com/store/Small-Red-Dry-Bean-Seeds.html | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: The relatively short 75-day dry-bean maturity makes Small Red suitable for Southeast Michigan. Plant after frost and warm soil, with enough season remaining for pods to dry before fall rains.
Germination: Direct sow in warm, well-drained soil.
Harvest: Leave pods until fully dry and brittle, then shell the small red beans.
Seed Saving: Dry beans are mature seed. Store only after beans are thoroughly dry.
Special Care: Small Red is a compact semi-bush dry bean traditionally used in soups, chili and red beans and rice.
Research Source: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange — https://www.southernexposure.com/products/small-red-bush-dry-bean/ — Small Red dry-bean identity, 75-day maturity, 14-inch semi-bush habit and culinary use
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]