S'OAM PAWI TEPARY BEANS

Phaseolus acutifolius

ORGANIC

“In the Southwest, throughout a thousand-mile circle of semi-arid sub-tropical country, are found the scattered relics of prehistoric agricultural tribes. The ruins of their houses and their ditches, their pottery, their implements of stone, their pictographs and sometimes their bones, remain to us. But of greater value and interest than any of these are the descendants of these tribes, and some of their ancient crop plants, which yet endure." - R.H. Forbes, reporting from the University of Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station in 1912

Tepary beans are an ancient crop originating in and adapted to the desert climates of northern Mexico and the American Southwest. Incredibly nutritious and delicious but challenging to grow in northern gardens. This variety comes to us from Native Seeds/SEARCH by way of Adaptive Seeds in Oregon and is the most suitable selection that we know of for most typical American gardens.

Plants prefer to grow in dry soils in full sun and will suffer given excessive moisture. They do very well on sunny shale slopes in the Hudson Valley, but the vines must be harvested just before pods fully dry lest they shatter. This is of little consequence as the vines are fairly short and sparse and are easily tied to sticks laid atop clean buckets or garbage cans to dry completely indoors. Threshing is typically unnecessary as most seeds will fall from dried pods easily.

Sow these seeds in warm well-drained soil in full sun after all danger of frost has passed. Water frequently just until germinated and never ever again. Vines are 4' or so and wont to grow prostrate so may need to be tied to a short trellis. Tomato cages are sufficient. Plants may be spaced fairly tightly, as close as 3" or so, as foliage is minimal given dry conditions.

Flowers of P. acutifolius are inconspicuous and the pods are smaller than other species. Most pods contain five seeds and will shatter when fully dried. These plants will mature reliably in the north so long as they are not coddled. Harvest vines with fully ripe and partially dried pods in late summer or early autumn to dry completely indoors. The dried seeds are a beautiful golden brown and look lovely in a glass jar on the countertop or windowsill.

Tepary beans are rich in protein and maintain their shape when cooked. They must be soaked overnight and boiled and rised like other Phaseolus species. They are a fantastic addition to posole!

Packet contains at least 50 seeds.