Hidatsa Shield Figure

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Sink your spoon into the rich, earthy allure of Hidatsa Shield Figure dry beans—each seed forms a distinctive shield-like shape with a deep, mottled character that promises hearty satisfaction.

Once cooked, the texture turns tender and creamy with a gentle, nutty depth that holds its own in slow-simmered favorites and robust pantry staples. Grow this heritage variety for a dependable 90-day harvest and a harvest basket full of visually striking beans ready to become your go-to base for comforting meals and bold flavors.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Clumping

Botanical illustration of Hidatsa Shield Figure

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Hidatsa Shield Figure is a dry bean built for the slow pot: it turns creamy without collapsing, so it thickens broth and holds its shape in chili and soups. The nutty, earthy flavor loves smoke and acid—finish with vinegar to wake up the whole pot.

Best Uses

long-simmered bean soups with a spoonable broth
thickened chili/stew where the beans help carry body
smoky purees for dips and sandwich spreads
warm salads where the beans stay intact and tender

Flavor Profile

earthy, mineral-forward taste gentle nuttiness creamy-tender bite after simmering

Kitchen Pairings

smoked paprika garlic bay leaf apple cider vinegar browned butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease issue is most common for Phaseolus vulgaris (Hidatsa Shield Figure beans), and how do I manage it?

A frequent problem is bean rust/leaf spot and other fungal leaf diseases that show as reddish-brown spots with yellowing leaves. Start by watering at the soil line (not the leaves) and removing badly spotted leaves early; improve airflow by spacing plants so foliage doesn’t stay wet overnight. If you see rapid spread in cool, humid weather, use a labeled copper-based fungicide and reapply as directed on the label after rain.

During the main growing phase, how often should I water Phaseolus vulgaris and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

Water to keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist during flowering and pod set, typically about 1 inch of water per week total (more in heat, less after rain). Avoid waterlogging—Phaseolus vulgaris can suffer root problems in soggy soil—so let the surface dry slightly between waterings while keeping the root zone evenly damp. Mulch helps stabilize moisture so you’re not swinging from dry to drenched.

How can I tell when Hidatsa Shield Figure (Phaseolus vulgaris) is ready to harvest?

For dry beans, harvest when pods are fully filled and have turned brown and papery, and the seeds rattle inside when you shake the pod. Stop irrigating once most pods reach full size so they dry down evenly; then shell and cure beans in a warm, dry, airy spot for about 1–2 weeks until hard and fully dry. If you want green snap beans instead, pick pods while they’re still tender and before the pods turn papery.