Seed Count: Approx. 15 Seeds

Days to Maturity: 70 days

Pole variety, Snap/Dry Bean

Description: The Dark Green Yard Long Bean, also known as the asparagus bean, produces 16-20 inch long, dark army green, slender, stringless bean pods that are about the diameter of a pencil. Harvest these bad boys when they are young to enjoy deliciously crisp, and tender beans. Once chopped into 2-3 inch sections, they can be used in any recipe that requires snap beans. However, my favorite way to eat them is to sauté these beans in some soy sauce with sliced onions and minced garlic, and finished with a little sesame oil and sesame seeds. This easy to grow, high yielding bean thrives best in warm climates. The mature beans for this variety are reddish brown in color. Pole habit.

Mint2Grow Tip: I have noticed that aphids love this yard long beans, and will choose it over any other variety I am growing next to it, so be vigilant to control the pests, or you will lose your precious crop to them. I control them with a peppermint castile soapy water mix. (I use 1tbsp. castile soap to 1 qt. of water), and I continuously hose down my plants.

How To Grow

Sowing: Yard long beans thrive in heat and humidity. They should be direct sown when the weather is fairly warm, and the soil temp. reaches at least 75 degrees F. Make sure the soil is rich and deeply worked; these beans like full sun. Plant the seeds 1" deep and 3" apart, later thinning to 6-8" apart. Keep the ground moist until germination, which should occur within 7-10 days.

Growing: Yard long beans need to be trained on a trellis of at least 7' to support its vigorous vining habits. Yard long beans prefer high temps, so if cold weather threatens, protection may be needed. Since dry weather stunts the growth of the pods, water the plants when the soil completely dries out, but do not keep them swamped with water. Watch out for aphids and mites, which can be a big problem with this bean. Plant with marigolds, corn, potatoes, and eggplants. However, avoid growing near all members of the allium family, and sunflowers.

Harvesting: For best taste and tenderness, pick these beans for fresh eating at a length of 15-20", and check the vines often. Fully mature beans can be dried and used as soup beans. Fresh beans are best used immediately, but will keep in the fridge for several days. Can also be harvested and used as a dry bean. To save seeds, allow the pods to mature fully and dry on the vine. If frost or rainy weather threatens before your beans are dry, pull the plants and allow them to dry indoors. They should be completely dry 10-15 days later. Remove the seeds from the pods by hand, and store the seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 3 years.