How to Grow Urd Beans
On this page
Urd beans are ready to harvest 60–140 days after planting.
Urd beans (Vigna mungo) — Frost-tender annual, intolerant of frost and of prolonged cloudiness.
The short answer
- Ready in
- 60–140 days
- Site
- soil pH 6–7
Urd Bean (Vigna mungo)
Also known as: Black Gram · 2 sources cited
Quick Facts
Soil & Growing Conditions
Harvest & Storage
Urd bean through the season
What the research guides add
Urd bean is the same crop as black gram, an Indian pulse, and Feedipedia gives the temperature and soil window it likes.
- It is generally found in lowlands but can grow up to 1,800 m above sea level provided there is neither frost nor prolonged cloudiness. (Feedipedia)
- Optimal growth conditions are average day temperatures of 25 to 35°C and annual rainfall of 600 to 1,000 mm. (Feedipedia)
- It grows better on rich black vertisols or loamy, well-drained soils with a pH of 6 to 7. It can withstand acidic soils (down to pH 4.5) if lime and gypsum are added, but is sensitive to saline and alkaline soils. (Feedipedia)
- It is often used as a dry-season intercrop in rice or wheat, as it has a beneficial effect on soil nutrient status. (Feedipedia)
- It has poor tolerance of wet tropical climates, but in high-rainfall areas it can be grown in the dry period on residual moisture. (Feedipedia)
Sources for this section
Section researched and checked on 25 October 2026 by the SoilCommander Editorial Team. How we check facts: editorial policy.
Last verified 2026-10-25
Growing Urd Bean in another region
Sowing dates, frost timing and local advice differ by country. Use the guide for where you garden.
Sources
These 2 sources are specific to this region. The full list of 2 sources behind this guide (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA), Useful Tropical Plants (tropical.theferns.info)) is in the references of our UK guide to urd beans; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do urd beans take to grow?
Typically 60–140 days, depending on cultivar and growing conditions.
What soil pH do urd beans need?
A pH of about 6–7. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
Plan next season before the problems start
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How this guide is put together
The growing data on this page — sowing windows, pests, diseases, soil and site requirements — comes from named horticultural sources, listed in References below, checked against international horticultural research and extension sources. An automated pipeline assembles that verified data into the page you're reading: it selects which facts to lead with and builds the surrounding prose and layout. It does not invent a date, a source or a number — where a verified value for a field isn't available, the page leaves it out rather than guessing. A person reviews and publishes each page; nothing goes live unverified.
Where To Go From Here
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