(Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) or Yardlong Bean
My husband’s co-worker gave me some seedlings for the Yardlong Bean or Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis. I had never heard of this particular variety before so I did some research online. This is a different genus than the common bean. It’s a vigorous climbing tropical or subtropical annual vine that is found in Southeastern Asia, Thailand and Southern China. The pods get to be only about half a yard long and hang in pairs. They are best when picked young to eat in stirfries, cooked salads or chopped into cubes to fry in an omelette. I will have to find a place to plant them soon. I’m thinking another plastic tub and inverted tomato cage such as I did with my other beans which you can read about here if you missed that post.
Phaseolus vulgaris Organic French Bean Purple-Podded Climber
Another bean that I’m growing for the first time this season is this Purple Podded bean that I ordered from Park Seed and you can see a photo of here. Sorry I didn’t get a better photo of this fast germinating bean. I love the purple veining on the leaves and purple stems. Hope the beans taste as good as they look in the picture. It’s fun to try new things along with some old favorites. Today I noticed that my Kentucky Wonder beans are begining to emerge too. Can’t wait to harvest my first crop of beans, wonder which ones will be ready first?
Perennial Garden Lover 
Posted by OhioMom on May 6, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Beans are so easy to freeze too, just blanche and toss them in freezer bags to enjoy later … can’t wait to see your veggie garden in all its glory 🙂
Thanks for that tip Mom, I’ll be getting back to you on it when I harvest! 🙂
Posted by Susie on May 6, 2009 at 6:42 pm
I’ve never heard of the Yardlong bean either. My Kentucky Wonders are just beginning to take hold of the arbor I have them planted by. This is the first time for me to grow them. I’m very excited about it!!
You’ll love the Kentucky Wonders Susie, they have a great taste and easy to grow. I’ve grown them in containers for years. Hope you get a nice harvest! 🙂
Posted by fairegarden on May 6, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Hi Racquel, I love your beans. I think the plants are as pretty as ornamentals too. Your puple poddy looks cool and that long bean sounds, well, strange. I look forward to seeing how long they really get. We have planted Kentucky blue, a pole bean, bush bean tendergreen improved, scarlet runner, purple hyacinth and broad beans. The broad beans, favas, have loads of flowers but nothing that looks like beans afterwards, like the other types of beans have. This is a first time for growing these and I don’t know what is supposed to happen, like getting those great big beans. Any help?
Frances
Thanks Frances, I agree they do make nice ornamentals. I’ve grown Scarlet Runner just for that purpose. According to Deb looks like I might be getting a huge harvest with the Yard longs. 😉 The only beans I’ve had experience with are the Italian Runners (which is my son’s favorite) and Kentucky Wonder’s (which are mine). They were pretty easy, especially compared to Tomatoes. 🙂
Posted by greenwalks on May 6, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I had some “Red Dragon” yardlongs that I never planted, so I shared some at the SAGBUTT swap and I think Matron took some home and is sprouting them in the UK. She is my test garden for these, I guess! Hope yours are fun. Even if you don’t like the taste, I’m sure they will look super cool. I’m with Frances, I think veggies as ornamentals is sometimes good enough. I have grown purple beans in the past, I have to say the flavor of mine wasn’t as good as the green, plus they don’t stay purple when you cook them (unless you know some secret that I don’t!). Fun to grow and pretty foolproof even in my garden, though!
Thanks Karen, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with these. It was nice of my hubby’s co-worker to share them with me. 🙂 I need to pass along some of my Purple podded beans to him. Hopefully Matron shares the experience with you so you can let us know. Yeah I knew they wouldn’t keep their purple color after cooking but I had heard that the pests left them alone since they were looking for green. It should be fun just seeing what happens! 😉
Posted by Deb on May 6, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Racquel, I’ve grown those yard long beans for years. Your going to have a lot of beans. I make pickles out of some of them every year. Fun.
Thanks for the info Deb, how fun indeed. Pickling them sounds interesting. I’ll be getting back to you on this tidbit. 🙂
Posted by tina on May 6, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Looking forward to seeing all of your bean crop. That yard long bean sounds pretty cool!
Thanks Tina, I’ll keep you posted on the bean harvest in my garden. 🙂
Posted by Kathleen on May 6, 2009 at 11:42 pm
I’ve grown those purple podded beans before and one great thing about them was how easy they were to pick! It’s hard to overlook purple against green! I plan to grow some beans this year too in my new 3X3 raised bed but I haven’t started them yet or even bought seed. Who is running behind?!!!
That’s another great feature, thanks for mentioning it Kathleen. 🙂 I’m sure you have time to get your beans started, have fun!
Posted by Chandramouli.S on May 7, 2009 at 1:42 am
Yummy yum! I love these beans. We make spicy curry out of these and man, do they taste awesome!
Thanks for sharing your info on these beans Chandramouli. Spicy curry sounds yummy! 🙂
Posted by Kanak on May 7, 2009 at 7:09 am
I hope they do really well.. I love beans too but not too sure about the exact names.
Thank you Kanak. 🙂 My only experience is with Italian Green Beans, Kentucky Wonder & the Scarlet Runner Bean.
Posted by Linda at Meadowview Thymes on May 7, 2009 at 7:30 am
Green Beans ARE easy to freeze Racquel. I don’ t have room to grow them, but I buy them at the little market by our house along with all kinds of peas. I love blanching and putting in freezer! That way you can have fresh veggie in the dead of winter! 🙂
That’s what my Mom was telling me too Linda. I hope to get a nice crop so I can freeze some for this winter. 🙂
Posted by Gail on May 7, 2009 at 8:21 am
I’ve seen these beans in the catalogs, but the only beans I grow are hyacinth beans! They are delicious looking! Gail
I have some Hyacinth Beans too that I need to plant, first I need a couple of trellises to plant them under. 🙂
Posted by Darla on May 7, 2009 at 10:23 am
So exciting to see the veggie plants growing!
Yes it is Darla! 🙂
Posted by easygardener on May 8, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I don’t think Yard Long beans do well over here in the UK unless they are grown under cover – they don’t like our relatively short summers. I hope yours do well!
Our summers are quite long & drawn out so they should be happy. 🙂 Thanks EG.
Posted by Amelia on May 8, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I like thinking of my plants having a race: who will produce fruit first? Right now I’m wondering whether my peas or my strawberries will mature first. Delicious, either way.
That’s a fun way to think of it Amelia. 🙂 Right now I think my Green Peppers are way ahead of the Yellow Peppers. lol Thanks for stopping by today.
Posted by flowergardengirl on May 9, 2009 at 3:25 am
I had some Turkey Beans which I researched and found them to be fava beans. Hope you get a cash crop;)
Yum on the Fava Beans. Thanks Anna. 🙂