Seeds: When properly stored, planted, and cared for, we guarantee reasonable germination and true-to-type growth for one year from purchase.
Non-seed products: Free from defects in materials and workmanship for 30 days from shipment.
Excludes factors outside our control (extreme weather, pests, gardener error). If something’s off, contact us—we’ll make it right with a replacement, repair, or refund.
USDA “bioengineered (BE)” foods are those with detectable genetic material that was modified using in vitro recombinant DNA (rDNA) techniques, in ways
not obtainable through conventional breeding or found in nature. The USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard uses “bioengineered” as the nationwide labeling term.
Detectable modified genetic material in the final food
Created via in vitro rDNA techniques (e.g., gene transfer)
Modifications not achievable through conventional breeding or nature
—seeds / pkt
( ~ g )
Description
A treasured legume of East Asia, Akai Tama Adzuki carries centuries of agricultural and culinary heritage within its small, ruby-red seeds. Compact and upright, these bush-type adzuki plants reach about 18–24 inches tall, producing clusters of slender pods filled with jewel-like beans that dry to a deep garnet sheen.
The flavor is subtly sweet and earthy, a hallmark of adzuki beans long prized in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cuisine. Traditionally used for red bean paste, soups, and desserts, they also excel in savory dishes, adding protein-rich depth to rice, stews, and salads.
An ancient crop domesticated in the Himalayas and refined through Japanese selection, Akai Tama (meaning “red jewel”) thrives in warm, well-drained soils and matures evenly for easy harvest. As both a nitrogen-fixing soil builder and a nutrient-dense food source, it unites beauty, sustainability, and cultural continuity—an heirloom that feeds both body and story.
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How to Grow — Common Bush Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Once your bush beans have sprouted and established their first true leaves, their success depends upon consistent moisture, soil balance, and steady maintenance rather than heavy feeding or pruning. These are quick, productive plants that thrive on moderation and rhythm more than excess.
Soil Health & Root Care
Keep the soil light, open, and evenly moist, never compacted. Bush beans possess shallow, fibrous root systems that suffer from deep cultivation or crusted topsoil. Use mulch or light compost cover to suppress weeds and protect root zones. A half-inch layer of fine compost midseason replenishes nutrients and encourages microbial activity that supports nitrogen fixation at the roots.
Avoid excessive fertilization — bush beans form a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria to create their own nitrogen supply. Overfeeding, especially with nitrogen-rich inputs, promotes dense foliage and delays flowering. Instead, focus on soil biology: earthworms, compost, and organic matter.
Watering & Moisture Regulation
Bush beans demand consistent, even watering through flowering and pod development. Supply roughly 1 to 1¼ inches per week, adjusting for rainfall. Deep watering every few days is far superior to frequent shallow sprinkling. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between sessions to encourage deeper rooting.
Water early in the morning so foliage dries quickly, reducing fungal pressure. If irrigation splashes soil onto leaves, mulch with straw, shredded bark, or aged compost to minimize disease spread. Avoid overhead watering once pods set, as this increases the risk of rust and bacterial blight.
Mulching & Temperature Moderation
Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch once the plants are 6 inches tall. Mulch regulates moisture, prevents weeds, and keeps soil temperatures stable. In hot regions, straw mulch prevents overheating; in cooler areas, black plastic or fabric mulch retains warmth and speeds growth.
Weed, Pest & Disease Management
Because bush beans mature rapidly, even mild stress can reduce yields. Keep the beds weed-free, especially in the first 4 weeks when roots are shallow. Avoid cultivating too deeply near the stems.
Inspect plants weekly for bean beetles, aphids, and leaf spot. At first signs of damage, use neem oil or insecticidal soap and handpick adults. Encourage beneficial predators like lady beetles and lacewings. Rotate bean crops annually — at least every 3–4 years — to reduce disease buildup in the soil.
For fungal control, ensure air circulation by spacing rows 18–24 inches apart. Remove any yellowing leaves promptly, and water at the base of plants rather than overhead.
Feeding & Midseason Care
After the first flush of blooms, top-dress rows with compost or worm castings. This provides a balanced, slow nutrient release to sustain pod set without excessive leaf growth. Avoid foliar sprays rich in nitrogen; instead, choose potassium- and phosphorus-dominant organic feeds if pods appear sparse.
A compost tea or diluted seaweed extract applied around bloom time boosts resilience and encourages abundant flowering.
Mid- to Late-Season Renewal
Bush beans often produce in waves. After the initial heavy harvest, trim back spent or yellowing foliage slightly and apply a shallow compost top-dress. Water deeply afterward to stimulate new shoots. With this treatment, many varieties yield a secondary flush before frost.
Remove mature pods promptly. Overripe pods on the plant signal completion of the life cycle, causing flowering to slow or cease. By keeping the plants clean and harvested, you extend their vigor and productivity.
General Growing Rhythm
Maintain steady moisture and avoid wide fluctuations.
Keep mulch in place from midseason onward.
Feed lightly but regularly through compost, not fertilizer.
Rotate beans with non-leguminous crops each year.
Remove diseased debris at season’s end to prevent overwintering pathogens.
Harvesting
Harvest pods once they begin to yellow and rattle slightly, allowing seeds inside to firm and darken. Pick promptly to prevent shattering or mold from late rains. Adzuki beans mature fairly uniformly, so a single clean pick is often sufficient. For hand harvest, gently pull plants and hang under cover to finish drying if damp weather threatens.
Flavor & Culinary Notes
Sweet and nutty, Akai Tama Adzuki beans are cherished for their smooth texture and clean, earthy flavor. Traditionally used in Japanese red bean paste (anko), soups, rice dishes, and sprouts. Pairs beautifully with rice, sesame, ginger, coconut, and light brown sugar for both savory and sweet preparations.
Handling & Storage
Store dry beans in airtight containers at 50–60°F with low humidity. For extended storage, freeze for 3 days to eliminate any potential pests, then return to cool storage. Cooked beans hold well refrigerated up to 4 days and freeze smoothly after cooking.
Growing & Maintenance
Support: Bush habit, generally self-supporting but may benefit from a short fence in windy sites.
Soil and feeding: Moderate fertility; best in sandy or loamy soils with good drainage. Avoid excess nitrogen to prevent lush foliage and delayed pod set.
Watering: 1 inch per week; drought tolerant once established.
Inoculation: Use cowpea-type Rhizobium inoculant for reliable nitrogen fixation.
Succession: Sow once soils reach 65°F for summer harvest; not suited for cool-season planting.
Seed Saving
Select uniform plants with consistent red seed coat color. Let pods dry fully on the plant before harvest. Dry further indoors to 8–9% moisture before shelling. Store cool and dry for up to 5 years. Isolate by at least 10–20 feet for purity.
Container Tips
Grow 3 plants per 7-gallon pot in full sun. Provide a thin mulch to regulate soil moisture. Avoid waterlogging.
Common Pairings in the Garden
Plant near carrots, corn, or cucumbers. Avoid close proximity to onions or garlic.
Extended Season Care
Prefers warm weather; use black mulch or fabric to preheat spring soils. Protect young plants from cool nighttime temperatures with row covers.
Common Pests & Problems — Akai Tama Adzuki Bean
Insect Pests
Bean Leaf Beetles:
Chew small round holes in leaves and can scar developing pods. Handpick or use floating row covers early in the season. Encourage natural predators such as ground beetles.
Aphids:
Form dense colonies on undersides of leaves and new shoots, causing curling and yellowing. Spray with water to dislodge, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap, and promote beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Cutworms:
Nocturnal caterpillars that cut seedlings off at the soil line. Use cardboard collars or place small gravel rings around stems. Keep beds weed-free to limit habitat.
Seedcorn Maggot:
Attack germinating seeds in cool, damp soil. Delay planting until soil is warm (above 65°F) and well-drained. Avoid planting in freshly manured soil.
Thrips and Spider Mites:
These sap-feeders cause stippling and discoloration in dry, hot weather. Rinse leaves regularly and maintain even soil moisture to discourage outbreaks.
Fungal and Bacterial Diseases
Rhizoctonia Root Rot:
Causes dark lesions on roots and stems near the soil line, leading to stunting. Avoid overwatering and rotate out of legumes for three years.
Anthracnose:
Produces dark, sunken spots on pods and streaks on stems. Plant disease-free seed, rotate crops, and do not work plants when wet.
Bacterial Blight:
Spreads in humid weather, causing yellow halos around brown leaf spots. Avoid overhead watering, sanitize tools, and remove infected plants promptly.
Powdery Mildew:
White, powdery fungal growth on leaves that reduces vigor. Improve airflow, avoid crowding, and use sulfur dust or neem oil if needed.
Bean Mosaic Virus:
Leads to mottled leaves and distorted growth. Control aphid populations, remove symptomatic plants, and use resistant seed when available.
Physiological and Environmental Issues
Poor Pod Set:
Caused by high temperatures or insufficient pollination. Ensure full sun and consistent watering; light shading may help during extreme heat.
Drought Stress:
Reduces flowering and seed fill. Maintain regular deep watering during bloom and pod formation.
Waterlogging:
Leads to yellowing and poor nodulation. Plant in raised beds or sandy soils to promote drainage.
Nutrient Deficiency:
Pale foliage may indicate low nitrogen or poor Rhizobium activity. Inoculate seeds before planting in new soils and avoid over-fertilizing with synthetic nitrogen.
Integrated Management Tips
Rotate adzuki beans with non-legume crops every 3–4 years.
Avoid working plants when wet to limit disease spread.
Maintain clean, weed-free beds and remove debris after harvest.
Apply mulch to regulate moisture and prevent soil splash.
Inspect plants weekly for pests, removing any affected leaves immediately.
Q: What makes Akai Tama Adzuki beans unique?
A: Akai Tama, meaning “Red Jewel” in Japanese, is prized for its lustrous red seeds, nutty flavor, and cultural importance in East Asian cuisine—particularly in traditional sweets and ceremonial dishes.
Q: Are Akai Tama Adzuki beans heirloom or hybrid?
A: They are an heirloom selection of Vigna angularis, a species cultivated in East Asia for over 2,000 years and maintained through traditional Japanese breeding.
Q: How long do Akai Tama Adzuki beans take to mature?
A: Maturity typically occurs in 90–100 days from sowing, depending on temperature and soil fertility.
Q: What is the growth habit of Akai Tama Adzuki beans?
A: They are bush-type plants, compact and upright, growing about 18–24 inches tall with small pods containing several shiny red beans.
Q: How are Akai Tama Adzuki beans used in cooking?
A: They are widely used in sweet preparations such as anko (red bean paste), as well as in rice dishes and soups. Their mild sweetness and smooth texture make them suitable for both sweet and savory recipes.
Q: Can Akai Tama Adzuki beans be eaten fresh?
A: Typically, they are grown as a dry bean. However, young pods can be harvested early and cooked similarly to green beans if desired.
Q: Do Akai Tama Adzuki beans fix nitrogen like other legumes?
A: Yes. Like most legumes, they form root nodules that enrich the soil with nitrogen, making them a valuable crop in rotation systems.
Q: What are the ideal growing conditions for Akai Tama Adzuki beans?
A: They prefer warm, well-drained soils and full sun. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizers, as these promote foliage at the expense of pods.
Q: Are Akai Tama Adzuki beans drought-tolerant?
A: Moderately so. They perform best with consistent moisture during flowering and pod development but can tolerate short dry periods once established.
History & Culture — Akai Tama Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis)
The Akai Tama Adzuki Bean, known scientifically as Vigna angularis, carries a history rooted in East Asia’s earliest agricultural traditions. Adzuki beans have been cultivated in Japan, China, and Korea for over 2,000 years, revered not only as a food crop but also as a spiritual and medicinal plant. Archaeological evidence places their domestication as early as 1000 BCE, with remains discovered in Japan’s Jōmon period sites.
“Akai Tama,” translating roughly to “Red Jewel” or “Red Sphere,” is a name that honors both the bean’s lustrous red hue and its esteemed place in Japanese cuisine. Adzuki beans hold ceremonial and cultural significance in Japan, where they are used in osechi ryōri (New Year’s dishes) and sekihan (red rice), symbolizing celebration, vitality, and protection from misfortune.
This particular selection, Akai Tama, was likely stabilized from Japanese breeding lines emphasizing uniform size, rich color, and sweet flavor—qualities that lend themselves beautifully to both savory and dessert preparations. The bean’s smooth, nutty character and deep red pigment made it a staple ingredient in anko (sweet bean paste), which remains integral to traditional Japanese confectionery.
To grow Akai Tama Adzuki is to cultivate a crop that bridges sustenance and spirit—a small red seed connecting today’s gardens with millennia of East Asian culinary and cultural heritage.
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Alliance Of Native Seedkeepers
Bean Seeds - Bush - Akai Tama Adzuki
$200 USD
Unit price /
Unavailable
Description
A treasured legume of East Asia, Akai Tama Adzuki carries centuries of agricultural and culinary heritage within its small, ruby-red seeds. Compact and upright, these bush-type adzuki plants reach about 18–24 inches tall, producing clusters of slender pods filled with jewel-like beans that dry to a deep garnet sheen.
The flavor is subtly sweet and earthy, a hallmark of adzuki beans long prized in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cuisine. Traditionally used for red bean paste, soups, and desserts, they also excel in savory dishes, adding protein-rich depth to rice, stews, and salads.
An ancient crop domesticated in the Himalayas and refined through Japanese selection, Akai Tama (meaning “red jewel”) thrives in warm, well-drained soils and matures evenly for easy harvest. As both a nitrogen-fixing soil builder and a nutrient-dense food source, it unites beauty, sustainability, and cultural continuity—an heirloom that feeds both body and story.
