How to Grow Pinto Beans With Different Amounts of Light

Prepare the soil unless you are growing in containers; in that case, use all-purpose potting soil. Choose a place in full sun or in an area with as much light as possible. Turn over the top 6 inches of soil. Then incorporate 1 cup of fertilizer for every 50 feet of row. Use a fertilizer labeled 5-10-10.

Soak pinto beans in water overnight before planting them about 1½ inches deep in soil that is light and sandy. For more compact soil conditions, plant them 1 inch deep. Space beans 4 inches apart.

Water the beans with just enough water to get the top of the soil wet and keep it slighlty moist until germination. Thereafter, water the beans in full sun with about an inch of water per week. Pinto-bean plants grown in partial shade will need less water.

Mulch around bean plants growing in full sun during the summer months to help prevent water loss. Use about 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch, such as grass cuttings, straw or bark. Adding mulch to beans planted in partial shade will help control weeds if necessary.