When Do You Pick Pinto Beans?

Planting Season

• Pinto beans require warm-weather starts and long growing seasons. Start pinto bean seeds or seedlings in spring when the frost lifts for a 65-degree start. Grow pinto beans in areas with three- to four-month summers to give the plants time for growing and pod production, and give the beans longer seasons for a dry bean harvest.

Site, Soil, Care

• All beans need full sunshine and good air circulation for growth. Choose sunny, quick-draining sites and mix 4 inches of organic compost into the top 10 inches of soil for planting. Purdue University's Department of Horticulture recommends starting beans with 5-10-10 granular fertilizer for full, healthy growth. Water the pinto beans with 2 inches of water a week, and give them 33-0-0 granular fertilizer at mid-season, 40 to 45 days after planting, to encourage pod set.

Harvest -- Snap Beans

• Pinto beans mature in 90 days, which means that the plants grow to maturity and produce pods 90 days after planting. At this time the pods are young and green and ready for early harvest. Harvest at this time for fresh snap pinto beans.

Harvest Dry Beans

• Leave the pods on the plants if you prefer dry pinto beans for saving and cooking. Harvest the beans as dry beans when pods dry and brown and the leaves fall off the plants. If you need to harvest early, when pods are still moist, spread them in a warm, protected place for continued drying.