SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Borlotto Di Vigevano Nano

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Borlotto Di Vigevano Nano to a garden.

Experience the quiet drama of Borlotto Di Vigevano Nano—pods that mature to reveal beans with a painterly, rose-pink blush over a creamy ground, then deepen to a richly speckled look as they dry.

When rehydrated, the kernels offer a tender, creamy bite with a gentle, nutty depth that shines in classic dry-bean preparations and hearty potfuls. A compact, garden-friendly plant, it’s ideal for growers who want dependable yields and a distinctive, heirloom-worthy harvest for pantry staples.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Borlotto Di Vigevano Nano

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Borlotto Di Vigevano Nano Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone Start Indoors Sow / Transplant Harvest
Zone 1a Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a Direct Sow May 25th Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b Direct Sow May 15th Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a Direct Sow May 15th Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b Direct Sow May 19th Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a Direct Sow May 15th Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b Direct Sow May 13th Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a Direct Sow May 8th Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b Direct Sow May 4th Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a Direct Sow May 1st Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b Direct Sow Apr 25th Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a Direct Sow Apr 20th Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b Direct Sow Apr 10th Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a Direct Sow Apr 1st Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b Direct Sow Mar 23rd Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a Direct Sow Mar 6th May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b Direct Sow Feb 9th Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity75
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitBush
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)55
Min Night Temp (°F)45
Harden Off (days)Not Required

Culinary Notes


Chef's Note

These borlotto kernels rehydrate into a plush, creamy spoonful with a soft nuttiness—perfect for letting the pot do the work. The broth turns silky and binding, so build the flavor with olive oil, onion, and a salty hit like pancetta or Pecorino to keep every bite from going bland.

Best Uses

  • classic slow-simmered dry beans with aromatics
  • potfuls of borlotti-style bean stew (starchy broth that clings)
  • warm bean mash for crostini or filling into pasta shells
  • quick sauté after rehydration to set the skins and concentrate flavor

Flavor Profile

creamy, tender kernel bite gentle nutty depth subtle, savory sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

onion garlic rosemary olive oil aged cheese (like Pecorino Romano) smoked pork (or pancetta)

Frequently Asked Questions


How do I manage aphids or bean rust on Borlotto Di Vigevano Nano beans?
Watch for clusters of tiny aphids on new growth and leaf undersides; spray them off with a strong jet of water, then repeat every 2–3 days for a week if needed. If you see rust-like orange/brown spots, remove heavily affected leaves early (don’t compost them) and keep foliage dry by watering at the soil line instead of overhead. Space plants well and keep the area free of weeds to improve airflow and slow reinfection.
How often should I water Borlotto Di Vigevano Nano during flowering and pod fill?
Water deeply about 2–3 times per week during flowering and the first half of pod fill, aiming for evenly moist soil (not soggy). Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, then soak until moisture reaches the root zone; consistent moisture helps prevent tough pods and blossom drop. In hot or windy weather, you may need more frequent watering (often every 2 days) to avoid stress during rapid pod development.
When are Borlotto Di Vigevano Nano beans ready to harvest?
Harvest for fresh shell beans at around 70–80 days when pods are fully filled but still tender—snap a pod; the seeds should be firm and the pod should not feel leathery. For dried beans, leave pods on the plant until the foliage is dry and the pods rattle; then dry further indoors in a cool, airy spot for 1–2 weeks before shelling. Don’t wait for pods to fully dry if you want the signature creamy texture and mild flavor of fresh shelled beans.