About Yardlong Beans
The yardlong bean or cowpea, also known as the snake bean, encompasses a variety of cowpea types. It’s grown in tropical and subtropical regions to consume young bean pods as a substitute for green beans. This nutritious bean is a rich protein, fibre, and micronutrient source. The vines are abundant and adorned with beautiful flowers that attract bees and other summer pollinators. With proper support, the vines can grow over 5m long. The leaves and bean pods are larger than regular beans, and humans and livestock can enjoy the leaves and mature beans as part of their diet.
Growing Yardlong Beans
Our journey to cultivate green beans in our garden over the past years has been challenging. We faced the need for replanting and observed lower resilience. As a result, we decided to switch to yardlong beans, which have more extended growing periods and greater resistance to pests and drought. These beans are self-seeding; we planted the seeds over seven years ago. While they may occasionally develop mildew when grown near susceptible plants and may attract white flies, they generally require low maintenance, whether grown in pots or the ground. It’s worth noting that their yields may decrease in drought conditions, but they thrive in semi-shaded areas, climbing tree canopies. The seeds are smaller than regular beans, and their preparation is similar. However, we usually reserve most seeds for replanting. We consistently collect and store the seeds throughout the dry summer.
Using Yardlong Beans
We grow a variety of yardlong beans, including green, purple, and a beautiful green-purple speckled hybrid. Our vines thrive year-round, thanks to the consistently warm temperatures that encourage new leaf growth even as the pods dry. We love that our bean plants provide continuous fresh bean pods and lush leaves. We enjoy using the tender pods in salads, while the larger ones, along with the soft beans and leaves, make an excellent addition to stews, soups, and stir-fries. The versatility of yardlong beans makes them a cherished part of our Subtropical Urban Garden. Despite challenging weather conditions in recent years, we are grateful they remain available throughout the year.
#LoveHomeGrown
Purple yardlong beans
Green yardlong beans
Hybrid green-purple speckled yardlong beans
