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Yardlong Beans — Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis

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Yardlong Beans — Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis

layout: base.njk title: Yardlong Beans description: Growing Yardlong Beans in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: warm-season

Quick Reference: See detailed growing information below

Type: Annual
Family: Fabaceae (Legume)
Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hours)
Water: Moderate (1" per week; drought-tolerant once established)
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8
Hardiness: Annual (frost-tender, heat-loving)

🌱 Expected Yield

  • Per plant: 1-2 lbs of pods (continuous harvest with regular picking)
  • Per 10' row: 8-15 lbs (6-8 plants on trellis)
  • Notes: Yardlong beans are prolific producers in hot weather. Production slows when temperatures drop below 60°F. Regular harvesting (every 2-3 days) encourages continued flowering. Pods are best harvested at 12-18" for tender eating; older pods become fibrous but can still be shelled for beans.

🏺 Heirloom Varieties

'Red noodle Bean'

  • Source: Baker Creek (rareseeds.com), Southern Exposure (southernexposure.com)
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Deep red-purple pods, 15-18" long. Chinese heirloom. Sweet, tender flavor even at length. Beautiful color fades when cooked. Prolific producer. Heat-tolerant.

'Chinese Red'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange (seedsavers.org)
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Similar to Red Noodle. Burgundy pods. Sweet flavor. Traditional Asian variety. 12-18" pods. Continuous production in heat.

'Purple Podded'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 65 days
  • Notes: Deep purple pods, 12-15" long. Early maturing. Sweet, stringless. Productive. Color intensifies in cool weather.

'Green Podded' (Asian Long)

  • Source: Baker Creek, Asian seed companies, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 65 days
  • Notes: Light green pods, 15-20" long. Most common commercial variety. Tender, sweet, stringless. Extremely productive. Standard yardlong bean.

'White Podded'

  • Source: Baker Creek, ethnic seed savers
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Pale green to white pods, 12-16" long. Thai and Vietnamese varieties. Delicate flavor. Good for fresh eating and stir-fry.

'Black Seed'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Green pods with black seeds visible through pod wall. 12-18" long. Filipino heritage. Nutty flavor when shelled. Dual-purpose (pods and dry beans).

'Striped'

  • Source: Baker Creek, specialty Asian seed companies
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Green pods with purple striping. 12-15" long. Ornamental and edible. Sweet flavor. Filipino and Thai varieties.

'Siam'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 75 days
  • Notes: Thai variety. Green pods, 15-18" long. Heat-tolerant. Excellent for curry. Traditional Thai cooking bean.

'Appelbee Pink'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 75 days
  • Notes: Pink-tinged pods when mature. 12-15" long. Southern US adaptation. Heat-tolerant. Good for both fresh and dry beans.

'Mississippi Silver'

  • Source: Southern Exposure, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Green pods with silver streaking. 12-18" long. Southern heirloom. Drought-tolerant. Productive in humid heat.

'California Blackeye' (yardlong type)

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 65 days
  • Notes: Yardlong-type cowpea. Pods 12-15" long. Black-eyed peas when shelled. Dual-purpose. California adaptation of Asian yardlong.

'Georgia Southern Pink'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Pink-tinted pods. 12-16" long. Southern US heirloom. Heat and humidity tolerant. Good for fresh eating and shelling.

'Thai Green'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Asian seed companies
  • Days: 65 days
  • Notes: Bright green pods, 15-20" long. Standard Thai market variety. Crisp, sweet. Best for stir-fry and curry. Extremely productive.

'Vietnamese White'

  • Source: Baker Creek, ethnic seed savers
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Pale green-white pods. 12-18" long. Vietnamese markets. Tender, delicate flavor. Good for fresh eating.

'Red Shahi'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Indian seed companies
  • Days: 70 days
  • Notes: Indian variety. Red-purple pods. 12-15" long. Bold flavor. Heat-tolerant. Used in curries and stir-fry.

🌾 Seed Saving

Method: 1. Choose healthy, vigorous plants with desirable pod characteristics 2. Leave several pods on plant to fully mature (4-6 weeks beyond eating stage) 3.

Pods will turn yellow, then brown and dry on vine 4. When pods are completely dry and brittle, harvest in morning (before humidity softens) 5. Shell dried pods; separate beans from chaff 6.

Winnow by pouring seeds between containers outdoors (wind blows chaff away) 7. Dry seeds further indoors 1-2 weeks in well-ventilated area 8. Store in paper envelope or glass jar in cool, dry, dark place.

Isolation Distance: - Self-pollinating: Yardlong beans are primarily self-pollinating (90%+) - Minimum: 10-20 feet between varieties - For purity: 50+ feet or cage individual flowers - Note: Some crossing occurs via bees; isolation recommended for seed saving

Viability: 3-5 years under proper storage. Germination rates decline after year 3. Test germination on old seed before planting.

Special Notes: - Yardlong beans are the same species as cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) and will cross with southern peas, black-eyed peas, and crowder peas - Do not save seed from yardlong beans and cowpeas grown in same area unless isolated - Save from 5-10 plants minimum to maintain genetic diversity - For heat-tolerant varieties, select from plants that continue setting pods in hottest weather - Label carefully—many varieties look similar as dry beans

Added to WV Planting Guide 26155 — The Loop Farmstead

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