Mixed Yardlong Bean Seeds – Climbing Asparagus Beans

Long, Slender Beans for a Sunny Summer Trellis

Mixed yardlong beans bring vigorous climbing growth and long, slender pods to warm-season vegetable gardens. Also called asparagus beans, Chinese long beans or snake beans, they are especially useful for stir-fries and other cooked dishes when picked young and tender.

Train the vines up a sturdy trellis to keep pods off the ground and make harvesting easier. This mixed listing describes green and purple-red pod types. Color proportions and individual varieties may vary, so a particular balance of colors or named cultivar is not guaranteed.

Available Seed Packs

• 10 seeds
• 25 seeds
• 100 seeds
• 1 oz
• 1/4 lb
• 1 lb

Select your preferred size. Weight-based packs contain a variable number of seeds; the listing’s approximate range is 190–250 seeds per ounce. This listing is for planting seeds, not live plants or harvested beans.

Plant Details

• Botanical name: Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis.
• Type: Warm-season annual vegetable.
• Habit: Vigorous climbing vines requiring support.
• Pods: Long and slender; harvest before seeds swell for the best texture.
• Light: Full sun.
• Soil: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil.
• Harvest window: Approximately 50–80 days from sowing under suitable conditions, varying with the plants and weather.

When and How to Sow

Direct sow after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Yardlong beans thrive in heat but are sensitive to cold; avoid planting into chilly, wet soil.

• Install the trellis before sowing so developing roots are not disturbed later.
• Sow approximately 1 inch deep in a prepared, weed-free bed. Slightly deeper sowing, up to 2 inches, can suit loose soil.
• Thin or space plants approximately 6–12 inches apart along a row trellis, with about 3–4 feet between rows.
• For a pole or tripod, sow a small group of three or four seeds at each support.
• Water gently after sowing and keep soil evenly moist, not saturated.
• In warm conditions, seedlings commonly emerge in approximately 7–10 days; cool soil can delay or reduce emergence.

Trellis and Garden Care

Use a securely anchored trellis or tripod approximately 7 feet tall, keeping the top within practical harvesting reach. Guide young vines onto the support early; they will climb as they grow.

Water during dry spells, especially while flowers and pods develop. Although established plants tolerate some drought, low moisture can produce shorter, tougher pods. Mulch around established plants to help maintain even moisture, keeping mulch away from stems.

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which can encourage vines at the expense of pods. Base feeding on soil conditions and a vegetable fertilizer label rather than a fixed heavy-feeding schedule. Check foliage and pods regularly for pests.

Growing in Containers

Choose a large, deep container with drainage holes and a well-draining vegetable potting mix. Anchor a strong support before planting, and allow room for vigorous vines rather than crowding several plants into a small pot.

Place in full sun, check moisture frequently in hot or windy weather and water thoroughly when needed. Let excess water drain freely. Secure the container and trellis against wind, and feed according to the potting mix and fertilizer directions.

Harvesting and Kitchen Use

Pick pods while slender, flexible and tender, before the seeds become visibly swollen. Many yardlong beans are harvested around 12–18 inches long rather than being left to reach their maximum length. Check daily during peak production, as pods grow quickly.

Snip or pick carefully without pulling vines from their support. Frequent harvesting helps keep the crop productive. Pod color can change during cooking, and purple-red shades may fade.

Wash harvested pods and trim before cooking. Enjoy in stir-fries, sautés and other cooked preparations. Planting seed is intended for sowing, not eating.