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 staple of Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, Midnight Black Turtle is the quintessential black bean—compact, productive, and richly flavored. Bushy plants reach about 18–24 inches tall, producing clusters of 4–5 inch pods filled with glossy, jet-black beans that dry evenly and store exceptionally well.
The beans cook to a tender, creamy texture while retaining their shape, delivering a deep, earthy flavor with subtle sweetness. Perfect for soups, burritos, rice dishes, and classic black bean stews, they hold their color and firmness even after long cooking.
A descendant of traditional heirloom black beans cultivated for centuries in the Americas, Midnight Black Turtle has become a standard for home gardens and small farms alike. Reliable, early-maturing, and highly nutritious, it combines heritage flavor with modern performance—proof that some classics simply can’t be improved upon.
Not quite growing season yet, but we are excited for these
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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.
Additional Tips — Midnight Black Turtle Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Harvesting
Harvest when pods dry fully and seeds rattle freely. Uproot plants before heavy rain and hang to finish drying indoors.
Flavor & Culinary Notes
Earthy, dense, and rich with a hint of sweetness. Excellent for soups, chili, tacos, and Cuban black beans. Holds color and form after cooking.
Handling & Storage
Store dried beans airtight, cool, and dark. Cooked beans refrigerate 4–5 days or freeze well in cooking liquid.
Growing & Maintenance
Support: Bush form, compact.
Soil and feeding: Fertile, well-drained soil; compost at planting.
Watering: 1 inch weekly, maintain even moisture.
Inoculation: Standard bean inoculant.
Succession: Plant once soil reaches 65°F; a second sowing extends harvest.
Seed Saving
Allow pods to dry fully, shell, and store dry beans at 8–9% moisture.
Container Tips
Grow 3 plants per 10-gallon container with compost mix.
Common Pairings in the Garden
Good with carrots, corn, and cucumbers. Avoid onions.
Extended Season Care
Mulch to moderate temperature and protect from cool nights early and late in the season.
Common Pests & Problems — Midnight Black Turtle Bean
Insect Pests
Mexican Bean Beetle:
Adults and yellow, spiny larvae feed on leaf undersides, skeletonizing the foliage. Handpick beetles and eggs regularly, apply floating row covers during early growth, and remove post-harvest debris to prevent overwintering.
Aphids:
These small, sap-sucking insects cluster on new growth, leading to curling leaves and honeydew residue. Wash off with water or treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial predators like lady beetles and lacewings.
Seedcorn Maggot:
Larvae attack germinating seeds in cool, wet soil. Wait until soil temperatures exceed 65°F and avoid planting in freshly manured beds.
Cutworms:
Nocturnal larvae that chew through stems near soil level. Protect seedlings with cardboard collars and maintain weed-free surroundings.
Spider Mites:
Flourish in hot, dry conditions, causing stippling and yellowing of leaves. Maintain even moisture and rinse foliage occasionally to deter infestations.
Fungal and Bacterial Diseases
Anthracnose:
Dark, sunken lesions form on pods and streaks appear on stems. Use clean, disease-free seed, avoid working with plants when wet, and rotate crops out of beans for at least three years.
Rust:
Reddish-orange pustules appear on leaves, leading to premature drop. Increase plant spacing, water at soil level, and remove infected foliage.
Bacterial Blight (Common and Halo):
Angular brown leaf spots with yellow halos spread quickly in humid weather. Avoid overhead watering, sanitize tools, and remove infected material.
Root Rot (Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium):
Causes stunted plants, yellowing, and seedling damping off in soggy soils. Plant in well-drained beds and avoid overwatering.
Bean Mosaic Virus:
Creates mottled, curled foliage and reduced pod production. Control aphid vectors and remove infected plants immediately.
Physiological and Environmental Issues
Drought Stress:
Inconsistent watering can cause flower drop and poor seed fill. Maintain steady, deep watering and mulch to preserve soil moisture.
Poor Germination:
Cold or compacted soil delays or prevents sprouting. Wait until soil warms above 65°F and is loose and well-aerated.
Nutrient Deficiency:
Yellowing or weak growth may indicate nitrogen deficiency or poor Rhizobium nodulation. Inoculate seeds before planting.
Heat Stress:
High daytime temperatures above 90°F can halt flowering. Provide consistent watering and light shading in extreme heat.
Integrated Management Tips
Rotate bean crops every 3–4 years to reduce soil-borne disease risk.
Water early in the morning at the soil base to minimize leaf wetness.
Mulch to maintain even moisture and suppress weeds.
Remove crop debris after harvest to eliminate overwintering pests.
Inspect plants weekly for early signs of beetles, aphids, or leaf disease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — Midnight Black Turtle Bean
Q: What makes Midnight Black Turtle beans unique?
A: Midnight Black Turtle beans are a staple in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines, prized for their glossy black seeds, rich flavor, and creamy texture. They’re one of the most versatile dry beans for soups, rice dishes, and stews.
Q: Are Midnight Black Turtle beans heirloom or hybrid?
A: They are an heirloom type of Phaseolus vulgaris, descended from ancient Indigenous varieties domesticated in Central and South America thousands of years ago.
Q: How long do Midnight Black Turtle beans take to mature?
A: They typically mature in 90–100 days from direct sowing.
Q: What is the growth habit of Midnight Black Turtle beans?
A: They are a bush-type bean, compact and upright, producing pods close to the plant for easy harvest.
Q: What do Midnight Black Turtle beans taste like?
A: The flavor is earthy, mildly sweet, and slightly smoky, with a smooth, creamy texture when cooked.
Q: Are Midnight Black Turtle beans good for long cooking?
A: Yes. They hold their shape well in slow-cooked dishes and are ideal for soups, burritos, refried beans, and chili.
Q: Are Midnight Black Turtle beans good for soil improvement?
A: Yes. Like all legumes, they fix nitrogen in the soil, making them beneficial in crop rotations.
Q: What are ideal growing conditions for Midnight Black Turtle beans?
A: Full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture during flowering and pod fill. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers to maintain balanced growth.
Q: How should Midnight Black Turtle beans be harvested and stored?
A: Allow pods to dry completely on the plant before shelling. Store dried beans in airtight containers in a cool, dark place to preserve flavor and viability.
History & Culture — Midnight Black Turtle Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
The Midnight Black Turtle Bean is a refined modern selection of Phaseolus vulgaris, descended from heirloom black beans long cultivated across the Americas. Black beans have ancient origins in Central and South America, where Indigenous peoples domesticated and diversified the common bean more than 7,000 years ago. These small, glossy black beans became a dietary staple among the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations and later spread widely through trade and European colonization.
The “Black Turtle” type emerged in the Caribbean and Latin America, known for its dense texture, rich, earthy flavor, and deep pigmentation from anthocyanins. By the 18th century, black beans were a staple in the southeastern United States, particularly in Gullah Geechee and Caribbean-influenced cuisines.
The “Midnight” strain was developed in the late 20th century by the University of Minnesota to provide uniform maturity, improved disease resistance, and consistent jet-black color for commercial growers. Though bred for modern agriculture, Midnight Black Turtle retains the flavor and cultural legacy of its ancestral lines—beans that sustained Indigenous farmers and communities for millennia.
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Alliance Of Native Seedkeepers
Bean Seeds - Bush - Midnight Black Turtle
$200 USD
Unit price /
Unavailable
Description
A staple of Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, Midnight Black Turtle is the quintessential black bean—compact, productive, and richly flavored. Bushy plants reach about 18–24 inches tall, producing clusters of 4–5 inch pods filled with glossy, jet-black beans that dry evenly and store exceptionally well.
The beans cook to a tender, creamy texture while retaining their shape, delivering a deep, earthy flavor with subtle sweetness. Perfect for soups, burritos, rice dishes, and classic black bean stews, they hold their color and firmness even after long cooking.
A descendant of traditional heirloom black beans cultivated for centuries in the Americas, Midnight Black Turtle has become a standard for home gardens and small farms alike. Reliable, early-maturing, and highly nutritious, it combines heritage flavor with modern performance—proof that some classics simply can’t be improved upon.
