Yardlong beans: A complete guide to growing, care and maintenance

Yard long beans also known as asparagus beans or Chinese long beans, are a slender and delicious addition to any garden. These beans, despite their name, can grow to between half a meter and half a meter in length, adding visual interest and nutritional value to your garden and your meals.

Table of Contents

Planting Beans

  • Sow seeds directly into the soil or start seedlings indoors and transplant them later.
  • Sow the seeds about 2.5 centimeters deep, spaced 10-15 centimeters apart in rows or around supporting structures.
  • Make sure they receive constant moisture until germination (I cover my seeds with a little straw mulch to retain moisture), usually in 7-14 days.
  • Beans thrive in constantly moist soil, so water them regularly, especially during dry periods.
  • Apply a balanced fertilizer (compost or you can also use nettle infusion) during planting and again when the plants start to flower. Keep an eye out for pests, such as aphids and caterpillars, and use organic solutions such as natural nettle infusion or hand picking to control infestations.

Garden Gutierra’s tip!
Increase bean production by mulching around the plants to retain moisture and eliminate weeds. Also, plant aromatic herbs such as basil or marigolds nearby to deter pests and promote growth.

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Support's Structures

Supporting beans is crucial, as they are climbers. Use trellises, stakes or tepees to support their growth. Gently guide the vines as they climb, avoiding entanglement and ensuring adequate air circulation, which helps prevent disease.

These are two of the structures that I tried on my garden.

First time (on the first photo) I build a tepee and I didn’t have good results due to some mistakes in the construction (the beans didn’t have enough areas to grab and grow vertical + it was a very dry year) 

Second time (on the second photo) I repurposed and old iron frame and that year it went crazy good. I just use some wood to attached the frame to it and planted my beans under the frame. Results were incredible! 

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Harvesting and Storage

Harvest beans when they are about 30-46 cm long, firm and crisp.

Use garden shears to avoid damaging the plant. The more you harvest, the more they will produce, so be prepared to harvest every two to three days consistently.

Store freshly harvested beans in a perforated plastic bag in the fridge for up to a week to maintain freshness or simply freeze for extended storage.

Conclusion

Growing beans can be a rewarding experience for gardeners of all levels. With proper care and support, these beans offer a bountiful harvest and contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem.