Yardlong Beans

If you’re looking for a vegetable that’s both incredibly tasty and easy to grow, you’ve found it. Yardlong beans are deliciously crisp and versatile, offering a unique option for your garden and kitchen.

These beans are a staple in many Asian cuisines, but they deserve a spot in every garden. They grow fast and produce a huge harvest. Their length is impressive, often reaching over a foot long.

Best of all, they thrive in hot weather when other beans might struggle. Let’s get started on everything you need to know.

Despite their name, yardlong beans (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) are not actually a full yard long. They typically grow between 12 to 18 inches. They are closely related to southern peas, like black-eyed peas, but are grown for their long, slender pods.

They have a distinct flavor that’s more robust than a standard green bean. The texture is crisper and they hold up better to high-heat cooking. This makes them perfect for stir-fries and stews.

Why Grow Yardlong Beans?

There are several great reasons to plant these beans. They are low-maintenance and highly productive. You’ll get a lot of food from just a few plants.

Heat Champions: They love summer heat and humidity, producing well into late summer.
Rapid Growth: You can often start harvesting in about 60-70 days from planting.
Space Savers: Their vertical growth habit is perfect for small gardens or containers with a trellis.
Continuous Harvest: The more you pick, the more they flower and produce new beans.

Choosing the Right Variety for You

There are a few main types of yardlong beans, primarily distinguished by pod color. The most common is the green-podded type. You might also find red-podded and purple-podded varieties, which often turn green when cooked.

Some popular named varieties include ‘Red Noodle’ (with burgundy pods) and ‘Green Emperor.’ Try a couple different kinds to see which you prefer. Seed catalogs and online retailers are the best sources for seeds.

Green vs. Red Pods

Green pods are the classic choice, with a flavor most similar to other green beans but denser. Red or purple pods add stunning color to the garden and plate. They can be slightly earthier in taste.

The red color comes from anthocyanins, which are beneficial antioxidants. Both types are grown and cared for in exactly the same way.

How to Plant Yardlong Beans

Timing is everything. These are warm-season crops that will not tolerate cold soil or frost. You must wait until the soil is thoroughly warm—at least 65°F (18°C). This is usually a week or two after your last spring frost date.

Planting in cold, wet soil will cause the seeds to rot. Be patient for a much better reward.

Site and Soil Preparation

Yardlong beans need full sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. They prefer well-draining soil with a moderate amount of organic matter. Too much nitrogen, however, will give you lots of leaves and few beans.

Choose a site with strong support for climbing (more on that next).
Loosen the soil to a depth of about 8-10 inches.
Mix in a few inches of finished compost or aged manure. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Ensure the soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth.

Planting Seeds Directly

It’s best to sow seeds directly in the garden. They have sensitive roots and don’t always transplant well. Soak the seeds in water for 2-4 hours before planting to speed up germination.

Plant seeds about 1 inch deep.
Space seeds 4-6 inches apart within a row.
If planting multiple rows, space rows about 3 feet apart.
Water the seeded area gently but thoroughly.

Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days, depending on soil temperature. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until seedlings emerge.

The Critical Need for Strong Support

This is the most important step many beginners forget. Yardlong beans are vigorous climbers, reaching 8 to 12 feet tall. A flimsy support will collapse under the weight of the vines and beans.

A-Frame Trellis: A classic and very effective method. Use sturdy poles or bamboo.
Cattle Panel Arch: A galvanized steel panel bent into an arch creates a beautiful, strong tunnel.
Teepee Style: Lash 6-8 long poles together at the top and spread them at the base. This is great for kids gardens.
Strong Fence: A chain-link or well-built wooden fence can also serve as a perfect support.

Install your support before planting the seeds. Training the young vines is easy; just gently guide them toward the support and they will take over.

Care and Maintenance Through the Season

Once established, yardlong beans are quite drought-tolerant. However, for the best yield and most tender pods, consistent watering is key. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, from rainfall or irrigation.

Water at the base of the plants to keep leaves dry and prevent disease. A layer of mulch around the plants helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Feeding Your Plants

If your soil was prepared with compost, little extra fertilizer is needed. Too much nitrogen is a common mistake. If plants seem pale or slow-growing mid-season, a side dressing of compost or a balanced, low-nitrogen organic fertilizer can help.

A foliar feed with seaweed emulsion once during flowering can support pod development. But often, they do just fine on their own.

Pests and Problems

Yardlong beans have fewer pest issues than common bush beans. Their vigorous growth often outpaces problems. You may still encounter a few issues.

Aphids: Blast them off with a strong jet of water from the hose.
Bean Beetles: Hand-pick them off plants in the morning. Row covers can prevent them from reaching plants.
Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease can appear late in the season. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. A spray of 1 part milk to 9 parts water can help suppress it.

Good garden hygiene, like removing spent plants at season’s end, helps break pest and disease cycles.

Harvesting at the Perfect Time

Knowing when to pick is crucial for the best flavor and texture. Pods should be harvested while they are still slender and before the seeds inside begin to bulge. They are at their peak when they are about the diameter of a pencil.

If you wait to long, the pods become tough and fibrous. Check your plants daily once they start producing, as beans can grow remarkably fast.

Use two hands: one to hold the vine, the other to snap or cut the bean off.
Harvest in the morning when the beans are crispest.
Look for firm, snap-able pods. If they bend without snapping, they are past prime.
Regular harvesting signals the plant to produce more flowers and beans.

Storing and Preserving Your Bounty

Fresh yardlong beans are best used within a few days of harvest. Store them unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. For longer-term storage, you have several good options.

Freezing: Wash, trim ends, and cut into desired lengths. Blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain, pack into freezer bags, and freeze.
Drying: Let some pods mature fully on the vine until they are dry and brown. Shell the hard, dried beans inside and store them in jars for use like other dried beans.
Pickling: Their crisp texture makes them excellent for quick-pickling or canning in a vinegar brine.

Cooking with Yardlong Beans

Their firm texture means they stand up to longer cooking times than tender green beans. They are fantastic in a wide range of dishes, from quick sautés to slow-cooked curries. Always trim the stem end before cooking; the tail end is usually fine to eat.

They do not need to be de-stringed like some older bean varieties. Just give them a rinse and they’re ready.

Simple Preparation Methods

You can enjoy yardlong beans in many simple ways. Stir-frying is the most classic method. Cut them into 2-inch pieces and toss them into a hot wok with garlic, ginger, and a splash of soy sauce.

They also work great in soups and stews, added in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. For a simple side dish, blanch them whole and then toss with a little sesame oil and salt.

A Classic Stir-Fry Recipe

This is a fail-proof way to enjoy their flavor. You can add protein like chicken, pork, or tofu to make it a full meal.

Wash and cut 1 pound of yardlong beans into 2-inch pieces.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
Add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of minced ginger. Stir for 30 seconds.
Add the beans and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until they develop some blistered spots.
Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (or vegetarian alternative).
Add a splash of water, cover, and let steam for 2 more minutes until crisp-tender.
Serve immediately over rice.

Saving Seeds for Next Year

Saving seeds from yardlong beans is straightforward. Let several of the healthiest pods mature fully on the vine. They will become dry, leathery, and change color (green pods turn yellowish, red pods turn a deeper brown).

Pick the dry pods and bring them inside.
Shell the beans out of the pods.
Spread the hard, dry beans on a paper plate or screen to air-dry for another week indoors.
Store the completely dry seeds in a labeled paper envelope in a cool, dark, dry place.

They should remain viable for 3-5 years. Remember, if you grow more than one variety, they can cross-pollinate. For pure seeds, only grow one variety or separate them by a large distance.

Common Questions Answered

Here are answers to some frequent questions gardeners have.

Can I grow yardlong beans in a container?

Absolutely. Choose a large pot, at least 12-15 inches deep and wide. Use a quality potting mix and ensure you have a very sturdy trellis system anchored to or behind the pot. Watering will be more frequent than in-ground plants.

Why are my plants flowering but not setting beans?

This can happen during extreme heat waves or if night temperatures are to high. It can also be due to a lack of pollinators. Try hand-pollinating by gently shaking the vines in the morning. Ensure they are getting adequate water.

Are the leaves edible?

Yes! The young leaves and tender shoot tips of yardlong bean plants are edible and nutritious. They can be cooked similarly to spinach or added to soups. This is a common practice in Southeast Asian cuisines.

How long is the harvest period?

With consistent picking, a healthy planting of yardlong beans can produce for 6 to 8 weeks, often longer. They will slow down as daylight shortens and temperatures drop in the fall.

What’s the difference between yardlong beans and asparagus beans?

They are the same thing. “Yardlong bean” is the most common name, but “asparagus bean” is also frequently used. Some people say the flavor is slightly reminiscent of asparagus, hence the name.

Adding yardlong beans to your garden plan is a decision you won’t regret. They provide a reliable, heavy yield during the hottest part of the year when other greens might bolt. Their unique culinary qualities open up new recipe possibilities.

From a handful of seeds, you can grow an impressive vertical garden feature that feeds you for months. Give them a sunny spot, a strong trellis, and a little care. You’ll be rewarded with a continuous supply of these deliciously crisp and versatile beans all summer long.