How to grow Bean, Yardlong / Asparagus?
- Latin Family: Fabaceae
- Latin Genus: Vigna
- Ease of Growing: Moderate
- Growing Type: Annual
Yardlong Beans are an annual vining legume that is closely related to the Cowpea. It is traditionally grown for long immature pods, and used similar to a green bean. This subtropical/tropical plant is typically grown in Southeast Asia, Thailand, and Southern China. Asparagus beans are called “Dow Gauk" in China and “Sasage" in Japan. They take heat and humidity better than common beans; recommended for the Deep South.
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Bean, Yardlong / Asparagus History
The history of the Yardlong Beans dates to ancient West African cereal farming, 5 or 6 thousand years ago, where it was closely associated with the cultivation of sorghum and pearl millet. Asparagus or “yard-long" beans originated in Southern Asia and are now grown extensively in Asia, Europe and more recently the U.S.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.0 - 7.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 5.5 - 6.5
Yardlong beans perform well on a wide variety of soils and soil conditions, but performs best on well-drained sandy loams or sandy soils where soil pH is in the range of 5.5 to 6.5.
How to care for Bean, Yardlong / Asparagus?
Yardlong Beans are fairly easy to grow, as long as you provide them with sun and space needed to grow.
Water
Yardlong Bean are grown under both irrigated and non-irrigated regimes. The crop responds positively to irrigation but will also produce well under dryland conditions.
Yardlong Bean is more drought resistant than the common bean. Drought resistance is one reason that the Cowpea is such an important crop in many underdeveloped parts of the world. If irrigation is used, more vegetative growth and some delay in maturity may result. Application rates should insure that the crop is not over-watered, especially in Northern latitudes, as this will suppress growth by lowering soil temperatures. The most critical moisture requiring period is just prior to and during bloom.
Fertilizer
Yardlong Beans, like all legumes, forms a symbiotic relationship with a specific soil bacterium (Rhizobium spp.). Rhizobium makes atmospheric nitrogen available to the plant by a process called [nitrogen fixation]. Fixation occurs in root nodules of the plant and the bacteria utilize sugars produced by the plant. Although Rhizobium is normally widespread, seed inoculation with Rhizobium specific to the Yardlong Beans would be beneficial in areas where it is not present. Always use Rhizobium of the Yardlong Bean type.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 4 - 7 years
Yardlong Beans are generally self-pollinating so you don’t have to worry too much about cross-pollination. They are treated like other beans and allowed to fully dry on the vine.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Full sun.
Conditions:Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Freshly harvested Yardlong Beans spoil easily and should be kept in a cool, dark place (even on their way to the refrigerator!). Yardlong Beans are best when freshly plucked from the vine, although they'll keep for almost a week in the fridge (but not without sacrificing flavor).
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 40-45°F
Storage Length: 1-5 days
Storage Req:
Storage Temp: °F
Storage Length: days
Problems
Bean, Yardlong / Asparagus Types
- Chinese Long Bean
This form of Asian Bean known as Long Beans or Asparagus Beans are highly productive when given the right amount of space and support. They tolerate heat and humidity due to their origins in East Asia.
Pests
- Spider Mites
- Birds
- Bean Weevil
- Aphids
- Stink Bug
- Deer
- European Corn Borer
- Rabbits
- Nematodes
Diseases
- Mosaic Virus (Several species)
- Fusarium Wilt
- Damping Off
- Root Rot
