BEAN TEPARY ‘Blue Speckled’ Vegetable Seeds
Botanical name: Phaseolus acutifolius
Syn. Pawi, Pavi, Tepari, Escomite, Yori mui, Yorimuni
Tepary bean is an ancient crop grown by Native Americans for thousands of years, native to southwestern USA and Mexico. It was commonly planted as part of a Three Sisters Garden, a traditional planting method used by the Iroquois for centuries. The 5 cm long, narrow pods are much smaller than common beans Phaseolus vulgaris; the beans are small and rounded. It grows as an annual bush bean up to 50 cm tall with a semi-climbing habit. It is used primarily as a dried bean and is higher in protein and contains more soluble fiber than common beans. Productive and easy to grow, it is considered one of the most drought and heat-tolerant crops in the world. The water requirements are low, and the crop will grow in areas with annual rainfall less than 400 mm. Over-watering or too much rain will reduce pod set.
‘Blue Speckled’ tepary bean has narrow pods, 5 cm long; the beans are small, rounded, tan-colored with attractive blue-grey markings. The nutty flavor and dense texture are delicious in soups, stews, and traditional Mexican dishes. It is less tolerant of extreme heat than other tepary beans and believed to be a seed race of Mayan descent.
Plant Type:
- Warm season annual
- Plant Height: Typically up to 45 cm
Sow When:
- Germination: Best between 18 – 24°C soil temperature
- Outdoor: After the last frost date and when soil has warmed
- Indoor: Not recommended for indoor starting
Germination:
- Depth: Sow seeds 2.5 cm deep
- Position: Full sun
- Sow Where: Directly into well-drained soil or raised beds
Soil Type:
- Details: Rich, loamy soil with good drainage
Rows:
- Spacing: Plant seeds 5 – 10 cm apart in rows spaced 45 – 60 cm apart
Details:
- Days to harvest: 50 – 55 days
