Tepary Bean
Sacaton White Bean is an early-maturing tepary bean from the Gila River Reservation, descended from one of Native Seeds/SEARCH's earliest tepary bean collections. These small to medium-sized white beans thrive in hot, dry climates where most other beans struggle, making them exceptionally valuable for desert gardeners and those seeking low-water vegetables. The variety grows as an indeterminate plant, meaning it will continue producing throughout the season if conditions suit it, and it represents a living link to indigenous agricultural practices in the American Southwest.
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Low
9-11
?in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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Tepary beans are built for heat and drought in ways most garden beans are not, requiring minimal water to flourish in arid regions. The Sacaton White Bean specifically comes directly from seed bank preservation work by Native Seeds/SEARCH, carrying the agricultural knowledge of the Gila River community. Grown in the right climate, these beans reward gardeners with sustained production from a plant that actively dislikes being coddled with excessive water.
Sacaton White Beans are used in the same culinary applications as other dried beans: cooked for soups, stews, refried beans, and bean-based dishes. Their small to medium size and white color make them versatile in recipes that call for white or cannellini beans. In the Southwest, they appear in traditional preparations and contemporary indigenous cuisine.
Direct sow Sacaton White Beans into the garden after the last frost date when soil temperatures are warm. Plant into well-draining soil in a location with full sun exposure.
Allow the pods to mature fully on the plant until they turn dry and papery, usually in the latter part of the growing season. Harvest the mature pods by hand and shell them to reveal the white beans inside. Store the shelled dried beans in a cool, dry place.
As an indeterminate variety, Sacaton White Beans will continue branching and flowering throughout the season without requiring pruning. Allow the plant to develop its natural sprawling form, providing support if desired, and it will continue producing pods until frost.
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“The Sacaton White Bean belongs to the Phaseolus acutifolius species, commonly known as tepary beans, which were domesticated in Mexico and have been cultivated in the southwestern United States for centuries. This particular strain descended from one of Native Seeds/SEARCH's earliest tepary bean collections, preserved as part of their Seed Bank Collection work that documents and maintains crop varieties tied to indigenous communities. The variety comes from the Gila River Reservation and vicinity, representing a direct connection to the agricultural heritage of the O'odham people and neighboring communities who have grown tepary beans in the Sonoran Desert for generations. By growing the Sacaton White Bean, gardeners participate in the conservation of an adapted crop and the cultural knowledge embedded within it.”