This is a small black, kidney-shaped bean with a particularly rich and full flavor. It's a favorite in southern Mexico, South America and the Caribbean's. Great with rice and meat, particularly good in soups and casseroles. Also known as Turtle Soup Beans, Mexican Blacks and Frijoles Negros. Beans are generally direct seeded in the garden. The most important point about growing green beans is not to plant them too early. They will rot in cool, damp soil. To get an earlier start, you can put down black plastic to warm the soil. When bush beans begin producing, they often come in all at once. Staggered planting, every 2 weeks, will keep your bush beans going longer. Beans like a moderately rich soil with a slightly acidic pH of about 6.0 to 6.2. They prefer a loose, moist soil. Plant after all danger of frost is past. Pole beans will need some type of support to grow on. Be sure the trellis, teepee, fence or whatever is in place before you seed. Plant seeds at a rate of about 3-6 seeds per teepee or every 6 inches apart.