Midnight Turtle Black Bean produces small, shiny black turtle beans native to Mexico — cherished for their role in Central and South American cuisine and prized for their rich, satisfying texture and deep, earthy flavor. These high-protein, antioxidant-packed beans are one of the most popular dried beans worldwide, essential for soups, burritos, rice dishes, and Latin-inspired cooking. Midnight Turtle is a dual-use variety: harvest pods young and tender as snap beans, or allow to fully dry on the vine for a long-lasting pantry staple. As a natural nitrogen fixer, bean plants also enrich your soil — chop and incorporate spent plants to improve fertility for future crops. Ready in approximately 90 days.

Germination Rate: 99%. Test Date: 1/26. TLM.

Texas Minimum Germination Rate: 70%.

Why Choose Midnight Turtle Black Bean?

• Dual-Use Variety: Harvest young as tender snap beans OR allow to fully dry on the vine for shelf-stable dried black beans — maximum versatility from one planting.
• Exceptional 99% Germination Rate: One of the highest germination rates in our bean lineup — reliable, vigorous sprouting season after season.
• High Protein & Antioxidant-Rich: Black beans rank among the most nutrient-dense legumes available — excellent plant-based protein source and rich in antioxidants.
• Soil Builder: Fixes atmospheric nitrogen naturally — chop and till spent plants into the soil to enrich fertility for future crops.
• Authentic Latin Flavor: The classic black turtle bean used in traditional Mexican, Central American, and South American cuisine — rich, earthy flavor that holds up beautifully in long-cooked dishes.
• Heirloom & Open-Pollinated: Passed down through generations — save seeds year after year for a self-sustaining garden.
• Non-GMO Seeds: Plants whose DNA has not been altered in ways that do not occur naturally through traditional breeding methods.

Planting Tips for Success

• Sunlight: Requires full sun — at least 6 to 8 hours per day — for best growth and pod fill.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–6.8. Beans fix their own nitrogen — avoid over-fertilizing.
• Planting: Direct sow outdoors after last frost when soil temps reach 60°F. Great for both spring and fall planting.
• Spacing: Sow seeds 1–2 inches deep, 3–4 inches apart in rows 18–24 inches apart. Thin to 6 inches apart.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist during germination and early growth. Reduce watering as pods begin to dry down for harvest.
• Fertilizing: Minimal fertilization needed — beans fix atmospheric nitrogen. A light balanced fertilizer at planting is sufficient.
• Harvesting as Snap Beans: Pick young pods at 3–4 inches before seeds swell for fresh eating as snap beans.
• Harvesting Dry: Allow pods to dry fully on the vine — approximately 90 days. Harvest when pods are papery and rattle when shaken. Shell and dry further indoors before storing.
• Soil Enrichment: After harvest, chop spent plants and till into the soil to return fixed nitrogen and organic matter.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: David's Garden Seeds has taken the Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Great Customer Service: David answers all customer service questions. Usually within a few minutes.
• Vegetable Seed License: David's Garden Seeds has been granted a Vegetable Seed License for the State of Texas.

Cooking Methods

• Classic Black Bean Soup: Simmer soaked dried beans with onion, garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika for a rich, hearty soup — the definitive use for Midnight Turtle beans.
• Burritos & Tacos: Cook and mash or serve whole as a filling for burritos, tacos, and quesadillas — pairs perfectly with rice, salsa, and avocado.
• Black Bean Rice: Combine cooked beans with seasoned rice for a complete protein side dish inspired by traditional Cuban and Caribbean cuisine.
• Fresh Snap Bean: Harvest young pods and steam or sauté for a quick green bean side — no need to wait for full dry-down.
• Freezing Cooked Beans: Cook a large batch, cool, and freeze in portions for ready-to-use beans throughout the year.

Order Midnight Turtle Black Bean Seeds Today

Order yours today and grow your own fresh and dried Midnight Turtle black beans in your spring and fall gardens.

Nutritional Information

(Applies to cooked black beans, not seeds. Per ½ cup cooked black beans, approx. 86g.)

• Calories: 114
• Total Fat: 0.5g
• Sodium: 1mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 7.5g
• Total Sugars: 0.3g
• Protein: 7.6g
• Folate: 128mcg (32% DV)
• Iron: 1.8mg (10% DV)
• Magnesium: 60mg (14% DV)

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Heirloom varieties may exhibit natural variation in size, color, and maturation. Results may vary based on growing conditions, climate, and gardening practices.
• Dry Bean Note: Midnight Turtle is primarily a dry bean variety. Allow pods to fully dry on the vine before shelling. Shell and dry further indoors for 1–2 weeks before long-term storage.
• Seed Storage: Store seeds in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration in an airtight container extends viability. Properly stored bean seeds remain viable for 3–4 years.
• Planting Zones: Best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 3–10. Requires a long, warm growing season of approximately 90 days for dry bean harvest. Consult your local extension service for zone-specific planting guidance.

At David's Garden Seeds®, we take pride in bringing you heirloom seeds you can trust — grown with integrity, backed by decades of experience, and selected for home gardeners who care about what they grow and what they eat. Thank you for choosing us to be part of your garden.