Bush Borlotti Bean ‘Red Rooster’ Vegetable Seeds
Red Rooster borlotti beans produce attractive red-speckled pods on compact bush plants. Grow them for fresh shelling beans or allow the beans to mature and dry for pantry storage. Their creamy texture and rich flavour make them a versatile ingredient for soups, stews, casseroles and traditional Italian dishes.
Botanical name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Why Grow Red Rooster Borlotti Beans?
- Compact bush habit: Suitable for vegetable gardens and raised beds, without the tall trellis required by climbing beans.
- Distinctive pods: Attractive mottled red pods containing approximately 6–7 beans each.
- Two harvest options: Pick mature, plump pods for fresh shelling beans or leave them to dry for storage.
- Useful kitchen crop: Enjoy homegrown beans in hearty meals throughout the year.
Plant Details
- Plant type: Frost-tender annual bush bean.
- Plant height: Approximately 50 cm, depending on growing conditions.
- Position: Full sun.
- Harvest: Approximately 60–70 days from sowing; allow additional time for fully dried beans where needed.
- Best for: Home vegetable gardens, raised beds and small-scale fresh or dried bean production.
How to Sow Borlotti Bean Seeds
- Sowing method: Direct sow into prepared garden beds after frost danger has passed.
- Sowing depth: 2–4 cm.
- Plant spacing: Approximately 15 cm apart.
- Row spacing: Approximately 50–60 cm apart.
- Germination: Usually 7–14 days in suitable conditions.
- Preferred germination soil temperature: 18–25°C.
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with mature compost.
Sow into moist soil and water gently if needed. Keep the seed bed from drying out, but avoid frequent heavy watering or saturated soil. Bean seeds can rot in cold, wet conditions.
When to Sow Borlotti Beans in Australia
Borlotti beans need warm soil and a frost-free growing period. Use the guide below as a starting point and adjust sowing to local temperatures, rainfall and frost dates. For dried beans, allow enough time for pods to mature before cold or persistently wet weather arrives.
SubtropicalSpring or early autumnChoose warm, mild conditions.Arid / Semi-aridSpring or early autumn, where frost permitsAvoid extreme heat.
| Climate Zone | Suggested Sowing Season | Growing Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate | Spring to early summer | Sow after the last frost once the soil has warmed. |
| Avoid peak summer heat and prolonged wet weather. | ||
| Tropical | Trial during the milder dry season | Performance varies by location. Provide good drainage and avoid humid wet-season conditions, particularly when growing beans for drying. |
| Cool / Alpine | Late spring to early summer | Wait until frost danger has passed and allow enough growing time before autumn cold. |
| Provide reliable watering and mulch to help retain moisture. |
Growing Tips
- Water consistently: Maintain even moisture, especially during flowering and pod development.
- Mulch after emergence: Help conserve moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch clear of plant stems.
- Avoid excessive nitrogen: Heavy nitrogen feeding can encourage leafy growth at the expense of beans.
- Maintain airflow: Allow adequate spacing and water at soil level where practical.
- Support if needed: Short stakes or twine can help keep heavily laden plants upright.
Harvesting Fresh Borlotti Beans
For fresh shelling beans, harvest when the pods are plump and the beans inside are fully developed but still moist and tender. Remove the beans from their pods and cook thoroughly before eating. The decorative markings fade during cooking.
Harvesting and Storing Dried Borlotti Beans
Allow pods to become dry and papery on the plant. Mature dried beans should feel hard and may rattle inside the pods. If wet weather threatens, lift the plants and hang them under cover in a dry, well-ventilated place to finish drying.
Shell only when fully dry, then store the beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Soak dried beans and cook thoroughly before eating.
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