Anasazi Beans
An old bean from the Ancient Ones
Anasazi beans are one of our favorites, especially when cooked with black turtle beans, plenty of garlic and English Thyme for that special flavor. No matter how many I plant in the garden we always have to purchase more from our local coop. Although first brought to market around 1983 they can still be a hard to find item.
The earliest growers were the Anasazi (Ancient Ones) Peoples of the Southwest with carbon dating proving the bean to have been in cultivation for at least 1500 years (and probably much longer). It’s safe to say that they are well adapted to the southwest.
They are very easy to grow in my sandy soil, are quite drought tolerant, disease free and productive. I space the plantings out throughout the growing season for a continuous supply of green beans as well as a staggered harvest of dry beans. Be sure to save plenty of seed for next years crop - you will want them again!
If you would like to try them without growing your own, purchase them from the Adobe Milling Company in Durango CO.
till next time,
Darrol Shillingburg
www.darrolshillingburg.com