This isn't an advertisement; I just find these guys to be very interesting. Below is an article about monsoon planting from the native Seeds/Search newsletter. Check them out at nativeseeds.org. They also have about 90 (!) versions of wild and domesticated tepary beans in their collection.

BEGIN ARTICLE

The summer rainy season is off to a good start and
therefore it’s time to get out in the garden! For many seed varieties in
the Native Seeds/SEARCH collection, this is traditional time to plant.
The monsoons allow for a second summer season after crops planted in
March and early April have matured and been harvested. These varieties
have adapted over the centuries to the burst of seasonal moisture and
warm temperatures of late June through July. So get out there and start
planting!

If you're curious of what are good options for monsoon planting simply remember your ABC’s. Amaranth,
Beans, Corn, and squash. There are lots of other monsoon options but
these crops really shine during this season. Particularly those
varieties that are from southern Arizona and northwest Mexico where the
North American Monsoon season is most prevalent and the cultures and
traditions of the peoples who occupy the region, such as the Tohono
O'odham, have been growing with the monsoons for centuries. These
varieties will have a short growing season and are able to maximize the
few months of moist weather and require little supplemental water if the
rains are prevalent. If you live outside of the low desert regions of
Southern Arizona it might be too late to plant for you. Consult your
local planting calendars and make sure you have at least 3-4 months
before there is a threat of frost.

An amaranth like Mountain Pima Greens will give you summer greens if you pick the young leaves, and will
bring in the pollinators when it comes to flowering time. Not to
mention bringing beauty to your garden. Amaranth loves the heat and is
one of the few greens that you can grow in the summer that won't require
excessive amount of water and taste bitter. Also consider trying the
greens of our wild amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri, that tends to
flourish with the rains. It has the misfortune to be called pigweed but
the distinction of any plant as a "weed" is really subjective. All
amaranth greens are abundant sources of vitamins and minerals. The
3-sisters of corn, beans, and squash should really be referred to as the
4-sisters with the additional of amaranth which nutritionally
compliments the other sisters.

The summer monsoon period is the best time to plant tepary beans. Smaller than pinto beans, tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolis) are
native to the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. They are adapted
to the dry farming methods of the Tohono O’odham and other desert
dwellers, as they are one of the most heat, drought and salt-tolerant
legumes in the world, thriving in the alkaline desert soil. Teparies are
traditionally planted just after the first soaking rain of the monsoon
in soils that retain moisture, but do not become waterlooged if rains
are excessive. Plant in furrows with three to four beans placed in holes
an inch or so deep. Traditionally they are allowed to sprawl on the
ground but some varieties can be trellised which will increase yield and
make harvesting easier. When most pods are dry and brown pull the
entire plant and collect dry beans by stomping and shaking to release
them from their pods a few days after drying. Fully dry pods easily
dehisce, or burst open, a characteristic reminiscent of wild tepary
beans. They are extremely quick to mature, and germinated seed can often
be seen the next day after planting. Tepary beans are high in protein
and contain soluble fiber helpful in controlling cholesterol and
diabetes. They range in color from white, cream, yellow, brown, black,
and some have speckles similar to pintos.

It’s also a fine time to plant common beans,
as they will grow quickly in the summer heat and have time to mature
before cool weather. Staff-favorites for green beans include Hopi Pink,
Four Corners Gold, and Yoeme Purple String.

Paiute and Cocopah originating from the Colorado River area are good choices for sweet corn. Tohono O’odham 60 Day
is one of the fastest maturing flour corns and traditionally planted
this time of year. It can be picked in southern Arizona in about 60 days
from planting when it is in the milk or green stage when it is
traditionally roasted, dried, and reconstituted by adding to beans or
soups. If allowed to fully mature and dry as pictured, this corn variety
also make wonderful tortillas.

The monsoon season is also a great time to plant
squash. Most of the traditional squashes in the NS/S collection can be
picked when young and tender and used as a “summer squash” or left on
the vine to mature into a larger hard-shell “winter squash” making them
extremely versatile for your garden. Cushaws (Cucurbita argyrosperma) are good options for young summer squash and as mature winter squash, as are pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo).
If you are limited on space we suggest you try heirloom varieties of
zucchini as these plants are more compact. Most traditional squash will
send out vines over 10 feet long and quickly overwhelm many backyard
gardens but are perfect for larger farms and small acreages.

If you want to do monsoon planting but don’t want
to have to choose among the great number of varieties available, you
could try one of our seed collections. The Monsoon Garden Collection and the Tohono O’odham Collection include selections of seeds that are great options for this time of year.

Article written by by Melissa Kruse-Peeples, NS/S Conservation Program Manager and Sheryl Joy, Seed Distribution Coordinator.