Bauf Bean is a rare desert-adapted cultivar of tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) originally collected from the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona. This vining variety produces beans in variable shades of beige, gold, tan, and speckled patterns, thriving in the low desert heat where most beans struggle. Hardy in zones 8-11 and exceptionally drought-tolerant, Bauf Bean demands minimal water while delivering reliable harvests in arid climates. It's a living piece of indigenous agriculture, preserved through Native Seeds/SEARCH's seed-banking efforts and now available to gardeners willing to embrace its specific growing needs.
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Low
8-11
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Moderate
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Bauf Bean is a tepary variety with deep roots in Gila River indigenous agriculture, collected during the 1970s from the low desert region of Arizona. The beans display striking color variation across individual plants, with shells ranging from soft beige to rich tan with speckled patterns. Its extreme drought tolerance and low water requirements set it apart from common snap and dry beans, making it an exceptional choice for gardeners in arid regions or those managing water-stressed landscapes.
Bauf Bean is grown as a dry bean, harvested when pods mature and beans harden fully in the shell. The beans are used in traditional southwestern cooking, where they're valued for their texture and ability to cook down into creamy broths despite their small size. They work well in soups, stews, and refried bean preparations, absorbing flavors while maintaining their structure better than larger bean varieties.
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Transplant hardened seedlings outdoors only after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 6 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart.
Sow seeds directly into warm soil (70-80°F minimum) after all frost danger has passed. Plant seeds at appropriate depth and water gently to establish.
Allow Bauf Bean to mature fully on the vine for dry bean production. Harvest when pods have dried and turned brown, and beans rattle inside when shaken. Pick the entire pod and shell out beans by hand or by rubbing dried pods between your palms. Store dried beans in a cool, dry place.
No pruning is necessary for Bauf Bean. As a vining variety, allow it to sprawl across its trellis or support structure naturally, removing only any dead or diseased foliage as needed.
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“Bauf Bean entered seed preservation history through Native Seeds/SEARCH, an organization dedicated to saving crop diversity of the Southwest. The variety was originally collected in the mid-1970s directly from Santan, Arizona, on the Gila River Indian Reservation, where it had been cultivated as part of traditional indigenous agriculture. This tepary bean represents centuries of adaptation to the harsh low desert environment, where heat and drought are constants rather than exceptions. By rescuing it from potential extinction and adding it to their Seed-Bank Collection, Native Seeds/SEARCH ensured that this culturally significant variety remains available to gardeners and communities today.”