Tarbais

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Warm, nutty fragrance rises from the shell as Tarbais dry beans mature—each seed a handsome, elongated cream-to-beige canvas with elegant, deep-brown striping.

When cooked, they turn luxuriously tender with a creamy interior and a gentle, savory depth, making them a favorite for hearty pot meals and slow-simmered classics. Grow Tarbais for a satisfying harvest you’ll be proud to store, share, and savor throughout the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Bush

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Tarbais dry beans cook up creamy and plush while keeping a disciplined, tender bite—ideal for long, gentle heat where their nutty aroma and mellow savoriness really come forward. They’re built for thick pot cooking: the kind where you want a spoon that stands up in the pot.

Best Uses

slow-simmered cassoulet-style dishes
thick bean purees for serving spoon-thick on toast or alongside roast meats
classic bean soups where they stay creamy without turning grainy
stews that need a silky, long-cooked texture

Flavor Profile

gentle, nutty fragrance creamy interior with tender bite mellow savory depth subtle sweetness under heat

Kitchen Pairings

duck confit smoked pork garlic bay leaf tomato paste browned butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Phaseolus vulgaris (Tarbais) and how do I control it?

Watch for bean rust and common bacterial blight, which show up as yellow-brown spots or leaf lesions during warm, humid weather. Remove and destroy affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and water at the soil line; if disease is active, use a copper-based fungicide/bactericide according to the label. Also keep plants spaced for airflow and don’t replant beans in the same spot for at least 3 years.

How often should I water Tarbais bush beans during the main growing phase?

During flowering and pod fill (roughly mid-season to maturity), keep the top 1–2 in. of soil consistently moist but not soggy; aim for watering about 2–3 times per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the surface slightly dry before the next watering to reduce disease pressure. Mulch lightly once plants are established to stabilize soil moisture for uniform pod development.

How can I tell when Tarbais beans are ready to harvest at about 95 days?

Harvest when the pods are fully developed and the seeds inside are plump and firm—typically around the listed 95 days. For dry beans, pick when pods are tan and starting to dry, then shell and finish drying indoors in a warm, airy spot until beans are crisp. If you’re harvesting fresh green beans, pick pods while they’re still tender and before the seeds harden.