Growing Pinto Beans from the Grocery Store – A Frugal Gardening Strategy

Pinto beans are a popular variety of bean, known for their pink speckled skin and versatile nature. They are a staple ingredient in Mexican cuisine and are commonly used in dishes like burritos tacos soups and more. But did you know you can grow your own pinto bean plants using beans purchased from the grocery store?

Planting store-bought dry beans is an inexpensive way to grow your own food. With a bit of preparation and care, those pantry staples can produce a bountiful bean harvest. This article will walk through the process step-by-step. Soon you’ll be on your way to growing pinto bean plants on the cheap!

Why Grow Pinto Beans from the Store?

Here are some of the benefits of using store-bought beans as your source for planting:

• Cost-effective – Bulk dry beans are very affordable at the grocery store. Much cheaper than purchasing bean seeds from a nursery.

• Convenient – No need to make an extra trip to a garden center if you have beans at home already.

• Variety – You can try different types of beans from the store to see which grow best.

• Organic – Many stores now carry organic dry beans which are ideal for planting

• Frugal Gardening – Turn your pantry staple into free plants for food self-sufficiency.

So if you’re looking for an extremely frugal way to grow beans in your garden, grabbing a bag of pinto beans from the store can be a great option!

Choosing Quality Store Bought Beans for Planting

You can’t just plant any beans from the grocery store and expect vigorous growth. To increase your chances of success, source high quality dry beans. Here are some tips:

• Select plain, unseasoned dry beans. Avoid beans with flavorings or spice mixes added.

• Check for a “best by” date far in the future to ensure viability.

• Look for whole, undamaged beans without cracks, holes or imperfections.

• Choose organic beans if possible since they are untreated.

• Pick beans sold in sealed bags to prevent drying out.

• Larger beans like pintos tend to sprout more readily than smaller beans.

With some careful selection, the pinto beans from your local grocery store can become the foundation of your bean patch.

Pre-Sprouting Beans Before Planting

Dry beans have very hard outer seed coats. This makes it difficult for the embryo inside to germinate and sprout.

To improve their germination rates, it helps to pre-sprout the beans before planting them. Here are the simple steps:

1. Soak beans overnight – Place beans in a bowl and cover with at least 2 inches of water. Let soak for 8-12 hours.

2. Rinse and drain – Pour off water and rinse beans thoroughly. Pick out any floaters or malformed beans.

3. Transfer to damp paper towel – Place beans in a single layer between two damp paper towels.

4. Fold over and put in a plastic bag – Keeping paper towels damp, fold them over and place inside a partially sealed plastic bag.

5. Store in warm spot – Put bag in a warm (70-80°F) spot out of direct sunlight.

6. Check daily – Monitor sprouting progress. Beans are ready for planting when the root tip emerges.

Following this process kickstarts sprouting so your beans get a head start when planted in the garden.

How to Plant Store Bought Pinto Beans

Once your beans are pre-sprouted, it’s time to plant them! Here are some tips for getting your pinto bean plants off to the right start:

Choose a sunny spot – Beans need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Prepare soil – Beans thrive in loamy, well-draining soil. Mix in compost to enrich it.

Plant 1-2 inches deep – Dig holes 1-2 inches deep and place a pre-sprouted bean in each with the root tip down.

Space 2-4 inches apart – Allow 2-4 inches between each seedling for sufficient room to grow.

Water gently – Keep soil moist but avoid heavy watering. Misting is ideal for newly planted seeds.

Use supports – Install stakes, trellises or other climbing supports for the vines.

Monitor regularly – Check soil moisture, weed, and remove pests like bean beetles.

With attentive care and optimal growing conditions, your grocery store pinto beans will establish and begin vining rapidly.

Caring for Store Bought Bean Plants

Caring for bean plants grown from the store takes some diligence, but pays off in fresh pinto beans. Here are some tips for keeping your plants thriving:

• Water 1-2 inches per week if rain is lacking. Avoid overwatering.

• Fertilize lightly with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer or compost tea every 3-4 weeks.

• Install trellises or cages for climbing varieties like pinto beans.

• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

• Scout for common bean pests like aphids, bean beetles and cutworms.

• Provide shade cloth if plants are wilting on extremely hot days.

• Remove diseased or dead leaves/vines to prevent spreading issues.

With attentive care tailored to their needs, your pinto bean plants will flourish and produce bountifully.

Harvesting Store Bought Pinto Beans

One of the biggest rewards of growing dry beans like pintos is harvesting and enjoying your own fresh crop. Here’s a guide to harvest time:

• Days to maturity – Expect 50-60 days from planting to first pickings.

• Pod appearance – Harvest when pods are plump,Seeds should be visible through the pod.

• Ideal timing – Pick in early morning after the dew dries for maximum flavor.

• **Harvesting method **- Gently snap pods off the plants. Be careful not to damage vines.

• Storage – For dry beans, allow pods to fully dry on plants before collecting and shelling. Store in airtight containers.

With some trial and error, you’ll get a feel for identifying the perfect stage to harvest your homegrown pinto beans.

Troubleshooting Common Pinto Bean Problems

Growing beans from the grocery store comes with some unique challenges. Here are some potential issues and how to address them:

• Poor germination – Ensure beans are not too old, pre-sprout and maintain even moisture.

• Stunted growth – Fertilize lightly and check soil pH. Add organic matter if soil is poor.

• Leaf discoloration – Yellowing leaves may indicate overwatering. Improve drainage if soil stays soggy.

• Pest damage – Use row covers to protect young plants. Handpick pests and use organic sprays if needed.

• Vine dieback – Can result from overwatering or fungal infections. Improve air circulation and use mulch.

Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt has some setbacks. Taking notes each season will help refine your process.

Growing pinto bean plants from grocery store beans is an extremely economical way to add homegrown food to your dining table. With some planning, preparation, attentive care and patience, those humble dry beans can become an abundant garden crop.

Not only is it frugal, it also provides the satisfaction of turning a basic pantry staple into fresh, nutritious backyard produce. Saving and replanting seeds from season to season can provide an ongoing pinto bean harvest for years to come.

So next time you make a grocery run, grab a bag of pinto beans with planting in mind. With this guide in hand, you’ll be ready to turn those affordable store beans into your own patch of beautiful bean plants!