Montcalm

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Warm, earthy richness meets a satisfyingly firm bite in Montcalm dry beans—each seed develops with a classic kidney shape and a deep, velvety color that looks as good as it tastes.

Expect a hearty texture that holds its form beautifully for slow-simmered favorites and robust pantry staples, with a mellow, savory flavor that deepens as it cooks. Montcalm is a dependable 90-day grower for gardeners who want dependable yield and beans worth saving season after season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bush

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	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Montcalm is built for time: its firm, meaty seed structure stays intact in long stews while releasing enough starch to make the pot taste lush. Use it when you want a hearty, velvety broth and a bean that still has something to chew on.

Best Uses

slow-simmered kidney-style chili with a thick, spoon-coating bean base
classic baked beans where the beans keep their shape under a long oven cycle
hearty bean soups/stews that rely on body rather than pureed creaminess
pantry-friendly cooked beans for tossing into salads once cooled

Flavor Profile

mellow, savory beaniness earthy richness firm, meaty bite (dry-to-tender without turning creamy) a velvety cooking broth that thickens as it simmers

Kitchen Pairings

onion garlic smoked pork (or smoked paprika for a vegetarian swap) tomato bay leaf apple cider vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease or pest commonly affects Phaseolus vulgaris (red kidney beans), and how can I control it at home?

Bean common mosaic virus and fungal leaf spots are frequent in Phaseolus vulgaris, especially when foliage stays wet. Remove and destroy infected plants early, keep leaves dry by watering at the soil line, and space plants to improve airflow; if leaf spots appear, apply a labeled copper-based fungicide and repeat according to the label. For pests, watch for aphids and bean beetles—spray affected foliage with insecticidal soap and remove heavily infested leaves to reduce spread.

How often should I water Phaseolus vulgaris during its main growing phase to keep soil moisture right?

During flowering and pod filling (roughly mid-season to maturity), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist but not waterlogged; this usually means watering about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and soil type. Aim for deep watering that soaks the root zone, then let the surface slightly dry before the next watering to prevent bean diseases. Avoid overhead watering—wet leaves drive leaf-spot problems.

How can I tell when Montcalm (Phaseolus vulgaris) kidney beans are ready to harvest?

For dry beans, harvest when pods are fully brown and papery and the seeds rattle inside; this is typically around 90 days. If you gently squeeze a pod, it should feel dry and brittle, and the seed color should be fully developed. Pull plants on a dry day, then finish curing in a warm, airy spot until beans are hard and fully dry.