So many bean , so petty time ! If this is a refrain you ’ve caught yourself think before , you ’ve add up to the right billet .
Welcome to Beanland .
Here in “ Beanland , ” we ’re going to explore 13 different types of eatable beans you might need to regard produce in your garden – not just cultivar , but different species and race .
A planting of a bush variety.
But first , to get yourfrijolejuices flux , let ’s front at a few intellect you might want to diversify your bean planting , beyond the near , dim-witted fun of it .
We link to vendors to help you find relevant ware . If you purchase from one of our links , we may make a commission .
First of all , if you ’re a seed saver , raise unlike mintage of these legume can allow you to raise more than one type of edible bean without occupy about hybridization .
Just pick one from each species , and no more concern about hybridisation pollination ! ( As long as you are far enough from any gardening neighbors , that is . )
Another reason to diversify your planting is related to climate . Since these species have different pedigree , each of them is best adapt to a unlike climate .
Why endeavor to maturate a plant life with high water needs in an arid location when you could more easily harvest a bountiful harvest by choosing a well - adapted xeric excerption ?
Yet another good excuse formore beansis that as legumes , they makeexcellent familiar plantsbecause of their ability to fix N from the gentle wind into the soil , reducing the need for fertilizer .
you may con more about this process inour article on the scientifically back benefits of familiar planting .
And of course , there is the strictly culinary motive – having more options forplant - based proteinin the kitchen !
There aremanymore types of these legumes usable than most of us are probably consume .
In fact , there are around 40,000 different bonce mixed bag preserved in gene bank !
While a point of reference detailing the good – oh , I do n’t know – 10,000 or so bean diverseness would certainly be an interesting resource for those of us who are a tad legume - obsessed , for the purpose of this article we ’re extend to start withjust13 different eatable bean coinage or subspecies to help you streamline the option operation .
I ’ll let you love what to await from each of these so you could decide which ones are a serious fit for both your climate and your useable horticulture space . I ’ll also ply you with some idea on how to use these in the kitchen , as well as tips on where to find seed .
Ready for a sneak peek ? Here ’s our list :
13 Types of Beans to Grow at Home
Before we get started , let ’s look at some terms commonly used to draw these legumes , since these are not restricted to any one species .
Bush Varieties
Bush varieties have a more thickset growth habit , typically growing to about 18 to 24 inches magniloquent .
These depleted - grow type tend to have adeterminate growth drug abuse , like some type of tomato , and do n’t produce long vines , but persist thick .
You canlearn more about develop bush beans in our article .
Pole Varieties
Unlike bush varieties , which tend to stop growing at about two groundwork marvellous , perch varietiesare only limited by the length of the growing season , and their vines can accomplish several foot long .
Without trellising , these varieties will be difficult to harvest , with their vines turning into a tangled mess .
For those care to maximize theirvertical originate space , pole cultivars aid to grow the garden upwards .
Pulses
The term “ impulse ” is used when referring to certain types of edible legumes that are dried for food use . These include beans , but alsopeas(such as split pea ) , and lentils .
Seeds
Those who have never propagate bean before may not realize on the nose how this crop starts out in the garden temporary hookup !
No shame if you ascertain yourself in that group – every nurseryman was a entrant at one meter .
The seeded player used to arise these legumes are – dry beans , in fact ! Bean seeds are found inside the bean pod .
Shelling Varieties
shell varieties have pod that are too fibrous to eat and are instead removed or “ shelled ” from their seedcase .
Some “ shellies , ” as they are sometimes called , can be removed while still green and eaten fresh .
On the other hand , someshelling varietiesare allowed to fully mature and teetotal on the works . Once the ejaculate are dry , they can be easily stored as a buttery basic to eat later . Or to grow more plants next class !
Some varieties are treble purpose and can be either eaten smart , like unripe beans , or grant to mature and dry .
While green beans – both shrub and pole – run to be often plant as garden staple fibre , the shelling variety is not arise quite as frequently these day . That ’s a shame because there is an unbelievable wealth of beautifully patterned ( and tasty ! ) varieties to choose from .
Now , without further ado , let ’s get down to our primary bean business .
1. Adzuki
Adzukis , classify scientifically asVigna angularis , are tasty round legumes that are more widely used in Asia than in North America .
An important intellectual nourishment crop in Japan , adzukis are also used in traditional Chinese medicinal drug .
V. angularishas a native range that stretches from Assam in India through China , and to Japan , Taiwan , and Vietnam .
Also jazz as “ azuki ” and “ adanka , ” this leguminous plant is a strong - season crop .
Plants originate to one to two feet tall , usually take on a bushy growth substance abuse , have moderate drouth resistance , and do best in climates with cool nighttime .
Adzuki plants produce bright chickenhearted flowers that give way to short , cylindrical fuel pod . Inside the pods , seminal fluid are round and can come in in different gloss depending on the cultivar , but are most often burgundy adorned with a little clean furrow .
Young pods can be reap and cooked green , or pod can be leave on the industrial plant to suppurate for a harvest of dry seeds .
number on 80 day to maturity for reinvigorated employment , or 120 days for wry use .
However , be mindful that these plants , though bushy , are indeterminate , so not all pods will mature at once .
When harvesting , gardeners should keep in idea that the pods are prone to shattering , and hold a base beneath dry pod .
When dry , adzukis can be cooked like other dried pulses – they can be used in soup , or served as a magnetic variation of the classic beans and rice jazz band .
Adzukis are commonly used to make red bean library paste in Asia , which is used as an factor in sweet such as awkward Elmer Rice cake .
The seeds of this leguminous plant can also be used to make sprout .
Want to study how to make your own sprouts ? Readour guide to sprout at our baby site , Foodal .
Gardeners who would care to try this leguminous plant in their dwelling house garden should be aware that adzuki varieties are n’t widely useable for purchase among US seed purveyor .
Dainagon Adzuki
If you ’d like to give growing this legume a attempt , ‘ Dainagon ’ is an heirloom variety from the Kyoto prefecture in Japan .
you could purchase ‘ Dainagon ’ seeds in an raiment of package sizesfrom True Leaf Market .
2. Common
coarse beans are the ones you are likely the most conversant with – these encompass the legumes most often eaten asfresh green beansand also make upthe majority of dry noggin consumedin North America .
Available in thousands of unlike cultivar , Phaseolus vulgarisis a species native to Central and South America .
These plant are sensitive to ice and are grown as warm - season crop .
Varieties ofP. vulgarisare uncommitted with both bush and pole type growth habits , with deviate pod lengths depend on the cultivar .
For fresh feeding , vulgar beans typically have green seedpod , but some varieties are yellow- or purple - podded . Flower color and seed color can vary reckon on the cultivar .
Varieties with flatten pods are typically called “ Romanos , ” and are available in both bush and pole variety .
Fresh unripened beans can be cooked in a multitude of ways – from casserole to stir fries , to refreshing summertime salad . If you demand even more ideas , guide to our sis site Foodal for a wealth of dark-green edible bean recipe .
One of the classical bush cultivar you’re able to grow in your garden for fresh feeding is ‘ Tavera , ’ a filet character that bring forth svelte , crank pods assess four to five inches long .
‘ Tavera ’
you’re able to discover packets of 60 semen available for purchaseat Botanical Interests .
There aresomany incredible varieties ofP. vulgariswith a bush maturation substance abuse . If you ’d wish to comprehend deeper into these cultivar , be sure to check out our clause on35 of the best bush bean varieties .
And if you are a agriculturalist with trellising at the quick , you might need to consider a pole variety .
‘ Kentucky Wonder ’ is an heirloom pole cultivar that produces five- to seven - foot - recollective vines , bearing green cod that are seven to nine inches long .
‘ Kentucky Wonder ’ Heirloom
you’re able to purchase ‘ Kentucky Wonder ’ in packs hold in 40 seedsat Botanical Interests .
at long last , let ’s consider shelling cultivars .
Some type ofP. vulgarisused for dry battery include cranberry , fatal , kidney , navy , andpinto beans – but those are only some of the most well - known . The smorgasbord of dry shelling beans available to the menage gardener are thrillingly Brobdingnagian !
Dry common beans are a long - keeping pantry staple and can be cooked and used in soup , stews , dip , and salads , or they can be copulate with Timothy Miles Bindon Rice or wrapped in tortillas .
If you really require to indulge your taste perception bud in a Tex - Mex or Mexican - exalt repast , check out this recipe for stacked veggie enchiladasfrom our sister website , Foodal .
‘ Borlotto ’ is an heirloom variety that produces dark pinkish pods streaked with white , containing large ointment - colored seminal fluid flecked with red ink . They are also referred to by the plural flesh of their Italian name , “ borlotti , ” and by the name “ cranberry edible bean . ”
Available as either a perch or bush diversity , ‘ Borlotto ’ has a tough pod , so the seeds are removed and fix fresh , or the pods can be left on the plant to dry .
Maturing in 70 days , works achieve two feet magniloquent . Each seedpod control five to six seeds .
‘ Borlotto ’ Heirloom Bush Bean
you’re able to buy George Bush ‘ Borlotto ’ seeds in an assortment of packet sizesvia Eden Brothers .
3. Cowpeas
Despite what their common name “ cowpeas ” implies , Vigna unguiculataare not actually peas , but beans .
Also know as “ southerly field peas ” or simply “ southerly peas , ” black-eyed pea are native to the bulk of the African continent .
Pods are cylindric in shape and are held on the tops of plants , making harvesting easy .
Compared to the common bonce , this lovesome - season craw is more patient of of heat , humidness , and drought .
Cowpea cultivar can have either a shaggy-coated or vining emergence drug abuse , with most variety reaching two to three feet grandiloquent , and producing flower that are white , violet , or pale yellow . Pods can reach eight to 12 inches in length .
These legumes can be harvest untried when the integral pods can be eaten , or they can be leave to dry out on the flora and used for shell .
refreshed cowpeas in their pods can be prepared like green beans , while teetotal cowpeas can be cooked and used in soup , stews , fritter , salads , or combined with grains such as rice or millet .
The most well - known motley of black-eyed pea in the US is the black - eyed pea plant , which is a subspecies classified asVigna unguiculatasubsp.unguiculata .
‘ California Blackeye # 5 ’ is a ignominious - eyed pea variety that has six- to eight - column inch - long pods , containing pick - colour source with contraband “ eyes . ”
Semi - spreading plants are tolerant to wilt androot - knot roundworm , reach 14 to 18 inch tall , and require 60 twenty-four hour period for fresh pods or 75 twenty-four hours for dry bombardment .
‘ California Blackeye # 5 ’ Seeds
You ’ll find ‘ California Blackeye # 5 ’ bush black-eyed pea available for purchase in coterie of 100at Botanical Interests .
quick to discover to grow your owncrop of black - eyed pea ? delay out our article .
Another famous variety of cowpea is the purple Isaac Hull pea . These are also called “ crowder pea , ” because the semen are throng so tightly within the pods .
‘ Pinkeye Purple Hull ’ is a variety of bush cowpea that has purple cod and seeds with a pink “ eye . ”
flora contact 24 inch magniloquent and bear pods that are six inches long .
await unused peas quick to harvest in 62 day , or leave the pods on the plant life for 90 days for dry cowpeas .
‘ Pinkeye Purple Hull ’ Southern Cowpeas
You ’ll find ‘ Pinkeye Purple Hull ’ southern cowpea seeds available for purchase in gang of 100at Botanical Interests .
4. Fava
Favas , also known as “ faba ” or “ liberal beans , ” are a cool - time of year leguminous plant .
aboriginal to Afghanistan and Iran , Vicia fabacan be acquire as a winter crop for those in southerly climates , and as a spring craw in more northerly area .
Fava plants have an unsloped increment habit , with large compound leaves and attain flowers that are white with large purple bit .
The entire seedpod is edible when pick youthful , but as the seeds mature , pods become tough . Seeds can be enjoy fresh and green , or pod can be allowed to dry on the flora , and the favas can then be dried for longer term repositing .
reckon on the cultivar , flora can reach out between two and six feet tall , and germ can be small or up to an in long , with pods containing one to five seed each .
Although these legumes are edible , they are often used as a nitrogen - fixingcover harvest – and they can also be used inpermaculture fruit gild .
Favas do best in silty loam grease and postulate good drainage , mature in 75 to 100 days , look on the variety .
One of my favorite uses for favas is the classical Mediterranean smasher , ful medames , wherein the earthy tang of these dried legumes is combine with plushy olive oil and hopeful lemon succus .
But green favas are just as flavorful . For an idea of what you’re able to do with these fresh legume , check out this formula for roasted poblano and fava fettuccineat our sister land site , Foodal .
An advantage of producing your own craw is that favas can also be enjoyed for their edible honey oil .
Ready to grow your own ?
There are many different fava cultivars , include the hard to find horse bean . you’re able to pick up more about this ancient heirloom diverseness in our article on growing buck beans . ( come shortly ! )
A more approachable cultivar to initiate with is ‘ Windsor , ’ an heirloom English cultivar that will be quick to harvest in 75 days . seedcase are five to six inches long , incorporate three to five one - column inch cum each .
‘ Windsor ’ Fava
You ’ll find ‘ Windsor ’ favas available for purchase in battalion of 18 seedsat Botanical Interests .
Learn more about spring up favas in our complete guide .
5. Garbanzo
Garbanzos , also know as “ chickpeas , ” are a coolheaded - time of year crop aboriginal to Iran and Iraq .
Classified asCicer arietinum , this legume grows best in sandy or silty loam dirt and call for good drain . Its farsighted taproot provides it with moderate drought leeway , and it actually performs best in domain with less rainfall .
bloom are royal , pink , gloomy , or white , and the leaves , flowers , and fuel pod of the flora are hairy . Each pod carry a single seed , and foliage can be unsubdivided or compound .
industrial plant have a spreading but summary growth riding habit , usually strive no more than 30 inches tall and wide .
number on 80 Day to matureness for impertinent , green garbanzos , and 100 days for dry .
Garbanzos can be eaten green and fresh , though you ’ll most often encounter them as mature , ecru or tan - colored seed , cook and used in soups or salads . Or , in the ubiquitous and dead delectable facing pages or dip known as – that ’s right , say it with me , kids – hommos .
Homemade hummus is even better than the store - corrupt stuff and nonsense , and when you make it with homegrown garbanzo , it ’s even more satisfying .
To make your own homemade garbanzo dip , check out this scrumptious recipe for roast ail hummus . you’re able to find it on Foodal .
Want to try naturalize your own germ of hummus at home base ? Garbanzo source are n’t the easiest to source among seed sellers but there are some specialty growers out there that carry them . Look for cultivars such as ‘ Golden Dragon ’ or ‘ Black Sicilian . ’
chickpea
You ’ll feel garbanzos available for leverage in pack of 20 seedsfrom Pase Seeds via Amazon .
see more about growing chickpea here .
6. Lima
Limas might be the bean that many mass love to detest – and if that ’s true in your character , I ’m hoping you ’ll give them a second fortune . Not all limas have the mealy texture that some ascertain off - putt .
Plus , limas are really just another name for butter beans – now does n’t that sound well already ?
Classified asP. lunatus , this legume is a tender - time of year craw that come in many different manifestations than the type you ’ll rule in the glacial plane section of the grocery store .
To pop out with , there are two poor boy - types of limas – large capital of Peru , which originated in the Andes region of South America , and baby limas , which are more oestrus tolerant and originated in Central America .
Available in either bush cultivars or pole varieties , lima plants give rise white or yellow flowers .
fuel pod size and the number of seeds per seedpod will variegate depending on the cultivar you take .
brusk - time of year gardeners would do well to prefer bush varieties , which can maturate in as little as 60 days , while those with long growing seasons might try terminal cultivar , which can take up to 100 days to touch maturity date .
Limas perform best in soil that is on the loose and well - draining .
To learn more about growing these leguminous plant , check outour clause on raise and care for lima and butter beans .
This legume is harvest either fresh or wry , and in both cases the pod are discarded and only the seeds are used for nutrient .
In the kitchen , dry Lima can replace nearly any character of lily-white bean a recipe calls for . I wish them well help up with some braised commons , such asbroccoli rabe , and a slight garlic and olive fossil oil .
And my favorite variety to dish this way is without a doubtfulness the ‘ Christmas ’ cultivar .
‘ Christmas ’ limas have beautiful red and snowy dapple seed that cook up to a meaty texture . That ’s right , I say “ meaty , ” not “ mealy . ”
‘ Christmas ’ is an heirloom pole variety that requires 75 to 85 days to matureness .
‘ Christmas ’ Lima
You ’ll find ‘ Christmas ’ Lima available for purchase in your choice of seed pack sizesvia Amazon .
And you do n’t have to be contented with my personal favorite alone – there are many other lima cultivars you ’ll want to learn about . Discover13 of the best lima and butter bean plant cultivar in our clause .
7. Mung
Mung bean are a warm - season craw , and they ’re nearly relate to cowpeas and adzukis .
Vigna radiatahas a far-flung native range , spreading from the Arabian peninsula to India and all the way to easterly Asia and Australia .
This legume is also known as “ dark-green gram ” and “ gold gram , ” while in the US it was formerly known as the “ Chickasaw pea . ”
With many different variety , Phaseolus aureus are uncommitted in both bush and pole types .
Bush type strain 24 to 36 in tall while vining type may pass on six feet magniloquent .
blossom are yellow , giving elbow room to pod that are usually three to four column inch long , comprise 10 to 15 seminal fluid each . The source are green , brown , or yellow , depending on the variety .
The flora grow well in flaxen loam dirt and dry term , nominate this a good alternative for those in more arid locations , and require 90 to 120 days to attain matureness .
Even if you do n’t realize it , you may have eaten Vigna radiata before – they are frequently found in the material body of sprout used in Asiatic - style stir fries or summertime bankroll . But their culinary economic consumption go well beyond bare sprouting .
pod can be picked young and tender to use as a green vegetable or they can be allowed to mature for juiceless ejaculate . Dry mungs can be cooked and used as a substitute for chickpeas in humous , or they can be used in dishes such as ginisang munggo , a Filipino stew .
While garden seeds for this species are intemperate to come by , enterprising agriculturalist might try using seed designated for sprouting to grow a garden craw .
8. Pigeon Peas
Pigeon pea are a tender - season crop that can be used much like southern peas in the kitchen , but have an supply welfare in zone where they can be grown as perennials – they can grow into a hedge .
These legumes require a long growing time of year .
Classified asCajanus cajanand also call “ no eye pea , ” “ Congo pea , ” and “ red gram , ” pigeon peas are native to India .
Tolerant of heating plant , drought , and poor soils , this legume can be uprise as a short - live recurrent inUSDA Hardiness Zones9 to 12 , where it can reach up to 12 feet magniloquent .
Grown as an annual , pigeon pea will be more likely to reach just one foot in height . Plants have an good , shaggy-haired ontogeny habit .
Flowers are yellow or lily-livered and ruddy , giving manner to pods that contain an average of five or six seeds each .
Both pods and seeds are comestible , and the seeds can be used fresh or allowed to dry for storage .
As an annual , pigeon pea take 90 to 130 day to reach maturity . you may learn and caring for pigeon peas in our clause .
Pigeon pea have a sweet , nutty flavor . Traditionally they are used in the Indian dish toor dal , but can also be used in any manner you would use pulse such as lentils or split peas .
When choosing a variety to grow in your garden , ensure to choose a cultivar adapted to your needs – whether that means an one-year crop or a perennial hedge .
Pigeon Peas
You ’ll find pigeon pea useable for purchase in packs of 20 seedsfrom Palm Beach Medicinals via Amazon .
9. Runner
With their striking flower , runner beans are edible legume that double as ornamentals .
P. coccineusis native to mountainous regions of Central America and it ’s highlyattractive to pollinatorssuch as hummingbird , bumblebees , and butterfly .
Runner bean plant are a quick - time of year craw , but hailing from gamy elevations , they are both more moth-eaten broad and less heat broad than vulgar beans .
P. coccineusis a curtly - lived perennial in Zones 7 to 11 . In colder zone it ’s grow as an yearly , though its tuber can be lifted at the end of the growing season and overwintered .
While there are a few compact kind , most plants produce vines that can produce from six to 15 feet in duration and require trellising .
The foliage on runners does n’t look much different from pole varieties ofP. vulgaris – leaves are combine with three tenderness - shaped leaflets .
blossom are assume in clump and range in color from white to pink to red ink depending on the cultivar , with ruby varieties being the most widely grown .
Fuzzy pod are long and prostrate , hold in six to 10 seeds each .
For brisk eating , pick seedcase at four to six inches . Or countenance them mature for shelling , when pods can gain up to 12 inches long .
In the kitchen , runner beans can well be substituted for their look - alikes , Romanos , when they ’re still young and tender . Mature seeds can be cooked and used in soups and sweat , or serve with Elmer Rice .
The efflorescence and young leaves of this mintage are also edible .
When choose a cultivar , I always go with the hummingbird pleaser – the ones with the red flush .
‘ Scarlet Emperor ’ will bring these petite bird calling . It has burnished red flowers and matures in 75 days .
‘ Scarlet Emperor ’
You ’ll find ‘ Scarlet Emperor ’ useable for leverage in packs of 20 seedsat Botanical Interests .
Learn more about growing runner beans .
10. Soy (Edamame)
While you may conceive of soybeans as a orotund - shell agrarian crop , they can also be grown in the domicile garden – particularly in the form of edamame , soybeans that are pick and enjoyed green rather than being allowed to dry .
Glycine maxis the scientific name for this food craw , which originated in Asia and is used to produce such culinary basic as tofu , soy milk , and soy sauce .
Also known as “ vegetable soybean , ” edamame is a lovesome - time of year craw whose plants pass 14 to 36 inches marvellous with blanched , yellow , or purple heyday , and chemical compound leaves with ellipse leaflets .
Pods are commonly haired and contain two to four seeds each , age in 60 to 150 day , depending on the variety .
Edamame , the immature seeds harvested from unripe pods , are widely enjoyed as a collation , either fresh or dehydrated . They can also be used in hustle tiddler , noodle dishes , or soups .
Or they can take a starring role in deconstructed sushi , such as in this recipefrom Foodalfor a sushi bowl with sriracha mayonnaise ..
There are many dissimilar cultivars of edamame available – be sure to opt one that is well - adapted to the length of your growing season , since these legumes are daylight sensible .
‘ Chiba Green ’ is an early on - mature salmagundi , with fuel pod quick to harvest in 60 to 70 days .
‘ Chiba Green ’ Edamame
You ’ll find ‘ Chiba Green ’ edamame available for leverage in pack of 29 seedsat Botanical Interests .
11. Tepary
dwell in a hot and dry climate ? You might want to try tepary beans . These legume are deal one of the most heat large-minded crops in the world , able to produce a harvesting at temperature as high as 110 ° F .
P. acutifoliusis native to Arizona , New Mexico , Texas , and Mexico , where it was naturalize at least 2,500 years ago . Its seeds were an important crop to various Native American multitude of the Southwest deserts , notably the Tohono O’odham .
While the wild form of the species are often vining , domesticated plant tend to be shaggy and more compendious , reach about 12 to 30 in tall .
This warm - season leguminous plant , also call “ tepari , ” “ pavi , ” and “ haricot riz , ” has chemical compound leaves made up of three ovate leaflets .
Plants produce efflorescence that are white to pink , follow by more or less hairy fuel pod that grow up to three inches long , containing two to seven seed .
Seeds vary in color , ranging from white , beige , gilded , browned , or black , to cloud colouring material .
Tolerant of heat , drought , and alkaline soil , haricot riz are not patient of of regular lacrimation . After an initial lachrymation at planting time , they should only be irrigated if they show sign of drouth stress .
These legume can be used as a summertime cover crop in drouth - prone areas .
weigh on a harvesting after 60 to 120 day .
In the kitchen , teparies can be used like other dry pulsing , in soup and stews , or you might take a discriminative stimulus from one of their ancestral uses and try them as solid ground meal .
desire to originate your own ?
Black Tepary
You ’ll notice disastrous tepary seeds available for leverage in an assortment of package sizesfrom Yunakesa via Amazon .
12. Winged
wing bean look like legume you might incur in a Dr. Seuss book . Or perhaps on another planet !
Native to Tanzania , Psophocarpus tetragonolobusgoes by many different monikers . Some of the most ordinarily used are “ Goa bean , ” and “ princess beans . ”
wing beans hail from the tropical zone and thus demand a warm time of year in which to grow .
Vining flora bring forth beautiful blue flowers that are followed by green or purple pods .
These alone pod have four “ wings ” running lengthwise along them , hand them their most commonly used name .
Pods can grow up to nine inches farseeing but are comfortably reap a moment smaller , at four to six inches for impudent feeding .
Larger pods will become fibrous but can be trounce and the source enjoyed like soybeans .
These plants are tolerant of heat , humidity , and leaden rain – and are quite resistant to pest and disease pressure .
unripened pods can be use up cutting but mature seeds should be cooked before eating .
Along with their eatable pods , all of the other part of the plant life are edible as well , let in the plant ’s tuberous root word .
The raw pods have a flavor similar to that ofasparagus , giving this plant one of its other vulgar names , “ asparagus pea . ”
Wondering how you might use these legumes in a meal ? judge using the sweet pods as a fun substitute for green bean in Asian - style meals , such as this recipe for deep-fried bean curd with charred fleeceable bean salad . Find it on Foodal .
Many varieties are daylight sensitive and will only produce flowers – and thus , pods – during short days .
When uprise this harvest in non - tropical region of the US , look for twenty-four hours - neutral variety such as ‘ Urizun Japanese ’ or ‘ Hunan . ’
Winged bean
You ’ll find winged dome available for leverage in large number of 50 seedsvia Amazon .
For more tips on how to care for these in the garden , be certain tocheck out our growing scout .
13. Yard-Long
If you are witch by peculiarly long - pod type ofP. vulgaris , there ’s another character of legume you might delight growing – the curtilage - long bean .
It may be one of the mostunusual veggies you could grow in your backyard !
This legume was formerly classified as its own species , Vigna sesquipedalis , but is now considered to be a subspecies of the cowpea , V. unguiculatassp.sesquipedalis .
aboriginal to Ethiopia and Kenya , this legume may be a race of the cowpea , but it deserves its own section in this article due to its stupefying pods .
Also known as the “ Chinese longbean ” or “ asparagus bean , ” this warm - season crop is heat large-minded – but its most prominent feature ( aside from its flavor ! ) is the distance of its beans .
develop for a harvesting of fresh pods , the vulgar name “ yard - long ” is no exaggeration – some cultivar have pods that can reach up to four feet in length !
Varieties of this leguminous plant are vining and can develop extensively , reaching up to 12 foot long , so do n’t forget to install your trellis at planting clock time .
plant produce white or purple flowers , transforming into pod that range in duration from 18 inches long to over three groundwork in distance .
These prospicient , thin legume are quick to harvest in 80 to 90 days .
If you miss your harvest time window and the seedcase become excessively fibrous , you may practice the seeds as you would cowpea seeds , by either shelling the brisk seeds or permit the fuel pod to mature on the vine and using them wry .
But picking them fresh will give you the most bang for your buck . These can be used just like green bean , but their nip is a bit unlike than standardharicots verts . I guess of their subtle , intriguing flavor as less beany than immature bean plant , with tinge of nuttiness and dill .
In the middle of summertime , there are few things I enjoy eat more than a plateful of steamed railway yard - longs without any garnish at all , not even salt .
‘ Orient Wonder ’ is a yard - recollective variety that stands up well to unpredictable weather and is well picked when pods are a foot to a human foot and a one-half long .
‘ Orient Wonder ’
You ’ll detect ‘ Orient Wonder ’ thousand - long beans available for leverage in packs of 20 seedsat Botanical Interests .
A Beantastic Voyage
Congratulations ! You ’re now an honorary citizen of Beanland !
No doubt you have a specie or two picked out that will flourish in your finicky gardening conditionsanddelight your taste buds – allowing you to embark on a edible bean - themed gardening escapade of your own introduction !
But wait , there ’s more ! Here are a few more articles to exhort and guide you incultivating useful atomic number 7 - fixing legumesin your M and garden :
Photos by Raquel Smith and Meghan Yager © require the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Product photo via Amazon , Botanical Interests , Eden Brothers , Palm Beach Medicinals , Pase Seeds , dependable Leaf Market , and Yunakesa . Uncredited photograph : Shutterstock .
About
Kristina Hicks - Hamblin
