Phaseolus vulgaris Other names: Black Bean, Frijoles Negros, Karappu Kaaramani Features: -Annual -Heirloom from Latin America -Recommended for outdoor growing in a container or in the ground -Comes in a biodegradable pot We grow our plants from seed, start them indoors, and move them outside to the shade to acclimate to the weather. To transplant, dig a hole a bit larger than the biodegradable pot, tear the pot in a few places, and bury the the root ball (including the pot) in the hole. You may also choose to add a bit of compost or worm castings into the hole before adding the plant. Water in thoroughly. Variety description from Sow True Seed: "These classic frijoles negros are a traditional staple in many Latin American cuisines, but have been adopted the world over. Their meaty texture and deep flavor makes them a favorite in vegetarian dishes, and they serve as a healthy source of lean protein, iron, and many other vitamins and antioxidants. Bush habit plants will form short runners, but should not need trellising.... [W]ith drying beans you want to leave the beans to mature and then ultimately dry on the plants for the best flavor and nutrition. Plan your plantings to leave at least four weeks for the beans to dry on the plant. After you separate your beans from the dry pods, spread your beans out to continue drying for at least two more weeks. We strongly recommend you freeze your beans for about two weeks before storage to kill any possible bean weevils that might be present.”