Growing Adzuki Beans at Home: Tips, Varieties & Harvest Guide

By Theodore West Published on
Mountains and Fields Awaiting the Snowmelt — From an Early Morning Train Window
Mountains and Fields Awaiting the Snowmelt — From an Early Morning Train Window

Why I’m Growing Adzuki Beans This Year

This year I’m challenging myself with growing adzuki beans — and preparations are already underway. Why did I choose adzuki beans for my home gardening project? There are three main reasons:

  1. I absolutely love them — adzuki beans are one of my favorite crops.
  2. They can be used in seasonal recipes and variations all year long, from spring salads to fall desserts.
  3. They’re easy to preserve and store, making them perfect for long-term use and pantry staples.

Of course, I’ll also be growing other vegetables and fruits, but adzuki beans are special. Simply handing someone fresh beans isn’t always convenient since it takes time and effort to prepare them. That’s where I come in: I’ll turn these beans into delicious, crowd-pleasing foods.

I’m excited to share this journey with you — from planting adzuki beans, to harvesting, preserving, and creating recipes.

Adzuki Bean Varieties and Planting/Harvesting Periods

I have studied adzuki beans and would like to briefly share what I learned. There are three main types:

  • Summer-Type: Temperature-sensitive; flowering starts when cumulative temperature reaches a certain level. Can be grown nationwide (except Okinawa). In Hokkaido, sow in late May and harvest in September–October.
  • Autumn-Type: Short-day sensitive; flowering starts when day length drops below a threshold. Mainly grown in Western Japan (Kinki–Kyushu). Sow in June–July and harvest in late September–early November.
  • Intermediate-Type: Between summer-type and autumn-type; suitable for early summer sowing. Mainly grown in Central Japan mountains and Tohoku region.

Here is a summary of the varieties, their characteristics, and planting/harvesting times:

Table: Variety Types and Planting/Harvesting Periods
Variety Type Characteristics Typical Regions Planting Time Harvest Time
Summer-Type Temperature-sensitive (flowering triggered by cumulative temperature) Nationwide (except Okinawa), including Hokkaido Mainland: April–early May
Hokkaido: late May		 Mainland: August–early September
Hokkaido: September–October
Autumn-Type Short-day sensitive (flowering triggered by day length) Western Japan (Kinki–Kyushu) June–July Late September–early November
Intermediate-Type Between summer-type and autumn-type Central Japan mountains, Tohoku region Early summer (June) Autumn (September–October)

Standard Sowing Time in Nagano

In Nagano Prefecture, the standard sowing time for azuki beans varies with altitude:

  • Low-altitude areas: Early June
  • High-altitude areas: Mid-June

This summary helps gardeners select the right adzuki variety and planting schedule according to their region and climate.

Closing Notes

Since my field is at a higher altitude, I will proceed using methods suitable for that environment. Of course, I won’t be using any pesticides. Further preparations are still needed, and I will report on them in future articles. Stay tuned! That’s all for today — see you next time!

Season:
Location: Nagano, Japan

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