Yard Long Bean
Photo: "starr-220628-0822-Vigna_unguiculata_subsp_sesquipedalis-in_garden-Residences_Sand_Island-Midway_Atoll" by Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 2.0
Vegetable · Pole-bean

Yard Long Bean

Fabaceae

HEAT-LOVING — thrives 77-95°F. Related to cowpeas, NOT common beans. SHORT-DAY plant: typically won't flower until mid-late summer when day length decreases (even if planted early). Liana variety is day-neutral exception. Harvest at 10-12 inches daily once producing. Drought-tolerant. Red Noodle: 80-90 days, maroon. Requires cowpea-type Bradyrhizobium.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Sun
6+ hours
Container
Not Ideal
5+ gallon pot
Height
6–8 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 7–14 days
Optimal Temp 70°F
Seed Depth 1"

Watering

Needs Moderate

Soil

pH Range 6–7
Support Sturdy trellis

Resilience

Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: High

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Light feeder

Harvest

Storage Harvest pods young and slender; long beans toughen quickly if overmature.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Silver queen sweet corn Classic companion; beans can benefit from corn as a living trellis in mixed plantings.

Avoid Planting Near

Green onion scallion Alliums are commonly listed as poor companions for beans.
Softneck garlic Alliums are commonly listed as poor companions for beans.

Sources

university USDA NRCS Plant Guide — Yardlong Bean seed_catalog Johnny's Selected Seeds seed_catalog Park Seed university University of Maryland Extension — Growing Beans in a Home Garden university Virginia Cooperative Extension — Companion Planting in Gardening (SPES-620) university UC Master Gardener Program (UC Davis) — Companion Planting Chart

More Vegetables

Yard Long Bean Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Yard Long Bean vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

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