How to Grow Borlotto Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Borlotto'
Borlotto Bush Bean is an easy-to-grow heirloom variety perfect for summer gardens. Gardeners choose it for its reliable production of tender pods in warm weather. This bush-type bean thrives in full sun and offers good resistance to common issues.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Borlotto Bush Bean: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Borlotto Bush Bean is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors only after the last frost date once soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for germination.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before planting. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last frost when the ground is thoroughly warm; do not sow early. Plant seeds about one inch deep. Germination typically takes seven to ten days under these warm conditions.
Space plants four to six inches apart in rows. While this bush variety often stands alone, providing a small cage can improve air circulation and yield. Water consistently with one inch per week, reducing frequency as pods mature to prevent splitting. Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for bean flies, aphids, spider mites, and seed fly damage; encourage beneficial insects or use organic sprays if infestations occur. Monitor plants for halo blight, bacterial blight, and rust, ensuring good airflow to reduce spread. Harvest pods sixty to seventy days after sowing when they are young and tender.
When to Plant Borlotto Bush Bean
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | October – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | September |
| Zone 3 | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 4 | — | June – July | August – October |
| Zone 5 | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 6 | — | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 7 | — | April – June | July – September |
| Zone 8 | — | April – May | July – August |
| Zone 9 | — | March – April | June – July |
| Zone 10 | — | February – April | May – July |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | April – June |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | April – June |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | April – June |
Companion Plants for Borlotto Bush Bean
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and thrips while potentially improving bean flavor
Beans fix nitrogen for carrots while carrots loosen soil for bean roots
Provides windbreak protection and benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans
Provides ground cover to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Deters Mexican bean beetles and nematodes with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Quick-growing radishes break up soil and are harvested before beans need space
Repels bean beetles and may enhance bean growth and flavor
✗ Keep away from
Releases chemicals that stunt growth of beans and most other vegetables
Can inhibit bean growth through allelopathic compounds in root zone
Allelopathic compounds inhibit bean germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
