How To Grow Mung Beans

Growing Mung Beans: A Simple, Satisfying Adventure

Mung beans are proof that some of the most rewarding crops come in the smallest packages. They’re resilient, fast-growing, and wildly useful in the kitchen. If you’ve ever craved a crop that practically thrives on autopilot, this is it.

Why Grow Mung Beans?

First, let’s talk about what makes them special. These little legumes are nitrogen fixers, which means they enrich your soil while they grow. It's like they’re pulling their weight and then some.

On top of that, mung beans don’t take up much space. You can grow them in rows, pots, or even as part of a mixed cropping system. They're one of those plants that, once you start growing, you wonder why you didn't start sooner.

“Mung beans mature in just 60 to 70 days, making them a perfect choice for impatient gardeners—or for squeezing in a bonus crop before the first frost.”

How to Plant Mung Beans

Choosing the Right Spot

Mung beans are sun worshipers. Plant them where they’ll get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. I once tried tucking them into a shadier corner of my garden, and they sulked the whole season.

The soil should drain well. If water pools after a rainstorm, your mung beans might rot before they sprout. If your soil leans heavy, mix in some sand or compost to lighten it up.

Planting the Seeds

Start by soaking your mung bean seeds overnight. It’s not strictly necessary, but it gives them a little head start. When you’re ready to plant, sow the seeds about 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart.

Spacing matters. I once crammed them too closely together thinking I’d cheat the system, but all I got were spindly, unhappy plants competing for space.

Caring for Your Mung Bean Plants

Watering

Here’s the thing: mung beans don’t like to sit in soggy soil. Water them consistently, but let the top inch of soil dry out between sessions. During dry spells, give them a deep soak once every few days.

Over-watering can lead to disease or stunted growth, and trust me, there’s nothing more frustrating than plants that just stall halfway through the season.

Feeding

Mung beans are efficient little workers and don’t need much in the way of fertilizer. If your soil is already healthy, they’ll do just fine on their own. Over-fertilizing, especially with nitrogen, can lead to lush foliage but fewer beans.

If your plants look pale or sluggish, a light sprinkle of compost tea or balanced fertilizer can perk them up.

Weed and Pest Control

Mung beans are scrappy enough to handle a few weeds, but don’t let them get choked out. Mulching around the base of your plants can save you a lot of time and effort pulling unwanted guests.

As for pests, mung beans aren’t usually a target, but watch for aphids or spider mites. A quick spray of water or some insecticidal soap usually keeps them in check.

Harvesting Mung Beans

When to Harvest

Timing is everything. Mung beans can be harvested in two stages: young pods for fresh eating or mature seeds for storage.

If you want fresh pods, pick them when they’re bright green and tender. For mature seeds, wait until the pods turn brown and start to dry out. I’ve left them too long before and ended up with beans sprouting right in the pods, so don’t wait forever.

How to Harvest

Use your hands or garden shears to snip the pods off the plant. Be gentle—mung bean plants can be a bit brittle and don’t take well to rough handling.

After harvesting, let mature pods dry out completely before shelling the seeds. Store your mung beans in an airtight container, and they’ll keep for months.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to Mung Beans

Their short growing season means you can fit them into almost any schedule. Plus, they’re versatile in the kitchen: sprouted in salads, cooked into soups, or ground into flour.

Growing mung beans will teach you that not every crop needs to be complicated. Sometimes, simplicity wins.

Mung beans are a popular choice for growing because they are relatively easy to grow and have a wide variety of benefits. Mung beans are high in essential nutrients, including protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They are also low in saturated fat, making them a healthy choice for anyone looking to maintain a balanced diet. Mung beans can be used to make sprouts, curries, soups, and even desserts. They are a great addition to any garden and can be a rewarding experience for the gardener.