Discovering crops that survive Arizona’s scorching and dry summers may be difficult. Nonetheless, as a consequence of its warmth and drought tolerance, the tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) has thrived on this local weather for 1000’s of years. Discover ways to develop tepary beans and add this tasty crop to your summer time and monsoon backyard.
Article Define:
What makes tepary beans well-suited to develop within the desert?
Planting tepary beans
Tepary bean rising ideas
Harvesting and storing tepary beans
Tips on how to use tepary beans
What makes tepary beans well-suited to develop within the desert?
Tepary beans desire heat climate and are well-suited for decent climates. Their historical past in Arizona dates again about 1000 years to the Hohokam tradition. These sturdy beans tolerate arid situations and may survive with minimal irrigation, making them excellent for areas with restricted rainfall.
Listed here are a few of the variations that permit tepary beans to develop so effectively:
The reproductive cycle from blossom to bean occurs shortly, permitting them to make use of moisture when obtainable.
Their roots additionally develop deep, permitting the plant to entry water unavailable to different extra shallow-rooted crops.
Amazingly, the pollen in tepary bean flowers is viable at temperatures above 105°F (40°C).
The leaves monitor the solar and “tilt parallel” to decrease the floor temperature of the plant.
Planting tepary beans
Tepary beans are smaller than typical dry beans and are available in numerous colours, from white to brown to black. Seeds can be found from Native Seeds Search on-line.
Historically, tepary beans are planted with the monsoon moisture in July or early August. It’s also possible to plant in March for a less-traditional earlier harvest.
When selecting a location to develop tepary beans, ensure the soil is free and well-draining. If in case you have clay soil, amend it with compost to enhance drainage and stop rotting.
Plant the seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) aside. Enable the beans room to bush and vine. You possibly can develop up a trellis if desired. Tepary beans can develop in full-sun situations.
Strive rising tepary beans as a companion plant or cowl crop (much like cowpeas). I’ve grown tepary beans with corn and okra. The beans vine and climb up the crops shortly.
Tepary bean rising ideas
If it doesn’t rain, water deeply however sometimes. Extra water produces lush, vegetative development however fewer beans.
Tepary beans are typically immune to pests. Nonetheless, tepary beans can harbor bean frequent mosaic virus that may switch to different beans. Monitor crops for indicators of illness. Signs embrace mosaic patterns on the leaves, together with puckering or curling. Pull and destroy affected crops.
Because the beans develop, blossoms will develop, after which the beans will type. As soon as the pods start drying out, discontinue watering.
Harvesting and storing tepary beans
Tepary beans sometimes mature in 60-120 days and are prepared for harvest when the pods flip dry and brittle. For small quantities of beans, hand decide the seed pods.
To reap the tepary beans from bigger plantings:
Lower the plant off at soil degree when most pods are dry (however earlier than they break up open).
Place the crops on a tarp or sheet in a dry location for lengthy sufficient for the remaining pods to dry.
In some varieties, the pods dry and open, releasing the beans. If the pods don’t launch the beans naturally, crushing the plant might help the beans drop.
Accumulate the sizeable dried-out plant matter and shake out any extra beans.
Sift/winnow the beans from the chaff.
Tip: Use the dried-out plant materials as mulch in your backyard beds. The leaves will shortly break down, including natural matter to your soil. I’ve used dried tepary bean plant matter as a “straw” to develop potatoes in. It labored very effectively! Study extra on this article.
Enable beans to dry for about two weeks. Retailer the dried beans in hermetic containers in a cool, darkish place to take care of their high quality and prolong their shelf life.
Tips on how to use tepary beans
Tepary beans have a barely nutty taste and a creamy texture when cooked. Listed here are just a few options on how one can use and luxuriate in them:
Cook dinner tepary beans with loads of water in a crock pot on excessive for 3-4 hours. Don’t rinse. Unfold out to air-dry earlier than refrigerating.
Add cooked tepary beans to salads, soups, or stews, or chili for a scrumptious and protein-packed meal.
Mash cooked beans with garlic, herbs, and spices to create a flavorful bean dip.
Use tepary beans as a filling for tacos or burritos, mixed together with your favourite greens and seasonings.
Sources I used for details about tepary beans:
https://crops.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/cs-pg_phac.pdf
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/dry-beans/bean-common-mosaic/
