| Grown out in the San Pedro River area of southern Arizona. Traditionally used for soil improvement, food and livestock forage. Wild seeds need to be scarified to germinate, can be done with sandpaper. Very frost sensitive.
An annual bean that was first cultivated in the Southwest by the Hohokam Indians, and is particularly adapted to low desert conditions. In the past it was a very important part of the local diet, and is very nutritious. Tolerant of low desert heat, drought and alkaline soil.
Plant 1/2 inch deep and 4 inches apart. In the desert, plant with the summer rains, otherwise irrigate if the plants start to look stressed. Plants that are overwatered will produce many runners, but few bean pods. A self pollinating annual, seeds can be saved for next year by harvesting pods as they dry. |
