Yard Long Beans (Asparagus Beans)
(Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis)
Yard long bean vines grow 8-10 feet and need support. The beans' length are closer to 1.5-2 feet rather than 3 feet long. We love this variety because of its consistent large yields, taste, and bean length.
Plant seeds directly in the ground, 1-2 inches deep and 3-6 inches apart. Yard long beans are annuals. Succession plant as soon as the beans are at full production. When they start to only produce beans under a foot in length, it is time to pull them out.
This variety of yard long beans are green with brown colored seeds. They are best picked when pencil thick. After that they get tough and spongy and can only be used for seed saving or dried beans. Yard long beans are a member of the cowpea family and not the green bean family, however our household cannot tell the difference between the taste of a bush green bean and these yard long beans when harvested young and steamed. Yard long beans grow best in hot and humid conditions. Cool and dry weather will inhibit growth.
Check plants every one to two days for beans. Yard long beans hang from stems in groups of two. Careful picking allows the plant to produce at least one more group, and often lots more, from the same stem. Ants frequent this area where the beans join the plant.
Yard long beans can be eaten raw, stir-fried, steamed, canned, pickled, and the bean seeds can be used as dry beans. From Wikipedia: "They (yard long beans) are a good source of protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, phosphorus, and potassium, and a very good source for vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and manganese."
