I was asked today..

[Ruffsta]

I was asked today by a co-worker and a fellow gardener - if the beans in the stores in the clear packages would sprout if planted... I had no answer to that... but at the same time I am curious now.

example:
[img]https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oF0_fEtiEDk/TPaRVRS0C4I/AAAAAAAAB8c/FNkfMfIpRwQ/s400/DSCN8150.JPG[/img]

EDIT:
personally I would assume if they are just picked and dried.. more than likely.. however if they are baked or cooked in any shape then probably not.. but we don't know what their process is..

[soil]

some will, some wont. the higher the quality the bean the higher the chance of germination from my experience. some of the cheaper brands are just sooooo old you wouldn't even know.

[applestar]

I like getting just 1/2 scoops of organic beans from the bulk section at whole foods. Haven't tried growing them all but favas and chick peas did sprout and grow and I've been drying and saving seed beans from adzuki beans that I originally grew from a packaged bag of organic beans purchased at a Korean supermarket.

BUT so far, beans packaged and sold as seeds from seed catalogs have had a much higher germination rate.

[manny]

one of the first things I grew was pinto beans, the really old ones my mom would not cook

[greenmouli]

True, wouldn't germinate if they are old stock, but try soaking them overnight and sow them. I've had success that way, but it could also be because of the hot and humid climates in our area.