Heirloom. Yard long beans are a subspecies of the cowpea or cow pea (Vigna unguiculata), an annual legume grown in many warm regions of the world. Yardlong beans are related to black-eyed peas (subsp. unguiculata) They are also called Chinese long beans, asparagus beans, pea beans, and snake beans. Yard long beans can grow up to 3 feet in length. Sweet and mild, resembling the combined flavor of asparagus, mushrooms, and beans. Serving suggestion: Braid or tie into knots before cooking.
Scientific Name: Vigna unguiculata
Plant Life Cycle: annual
Optimal Germination Temperature: 23C
Germination time in days: 4-10 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 90 Days
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil requirement: Dry, sandy
Sowing and cultivation: Sow seeds indoor 3-4 weeks before last frost or outdoors when all danger of frost has passed. Sow about 2.5 cm deep, spaced about 8 cm apart. Rows should be spaced about 60 cm apart. Thin out the plants to a 15 cm spacing as the seedlings emerge. You can do succession planting two or three times at two-week intervals, or plant a late summer or fall crop.They will need a tall support or you can grow them along a fence. Harvest when the beans are between 20 to 30 cm long and thinner than a pencil. Harvest daily to keep the plant productive.
