Phaseolus vulgaris

Available for purchase from 1 July 2025  

Gaberone Sugar is the red-speckled sugar beans commonly grown and sold throughout Botswana, particularly in and around Gaborone. Gaberone Sugar reflects the region’s longstanding cultivation of speckled cranberry-type beans that are well adapted to challenging Southern African conditions. These beans form an essential part of household diets and are widely available in local markets.

Gaberone Sugar beans are prized for their rich, nutty flavour and creamy texture when cooked. They absorb flavours exceptionally well, making them ideal for stews, soups and savoury bean-based spreads. Their nutritional profile includes good levels of iron, calcium and magnesium.

Sow seeds directly into warm soil once the threat of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently above 18 °C. Plant 2–3 cm deep with 8–10 cm spacing, and maintain 50–60 cm between rows. Beans germinate in 7 to 10 days and prefer well-drained soil in full sun. Consistent watering during flowering and pod fill is key to ensuring high yields and plump, well-formed beans.

These beans are typically bush-type, making them low-maintenance and ideal for dryland or smallholder systems. Plants reach maturity in 90 to 100 days, at which point pods can be left to dry on the plant. Once leathery, harvest and shell the beans for storage. Properly stored, they remain viable and flavourful for months.

For optimal performance and to improve nitrogen fixation, inoculate seeds before sowing with SoyGro BeanFlo. This supports robust root development, enhances nutrient uptake and improves both yield and long-term soil health.

Standard packet contains approx. 25 seeds

Petite packet contains approx. 10 seeds