If you’re a gardener in Zone 8b, you know the struggle is real when it comes to growing veggies in the hot, dry summers. When temperatures soar into the 90s and 100s day after day with little rain, many classic summer crops wilt away no matter how much you baby them. But there’s one that thrives in the heat – the yard-long bean.
Yard-Long Beans Love Hot Weather
While there’s not many options for things to grow during the dog days of summer in our climate, Yard-Long beans are an underlooked summer loving plant that zone 8b gardeners should add to their garden plans.
Yard-long beans, also called asparagus beans or long beans, are a variety of cowpea that originated in Africa and was perfected in Asia. Unlike their Southern cousin the black-eyed pea, these beans are grown more for their long, tender pods than the actual peas inside. And man, do they produce! Yard-longs will just keep pumping out loads of foot-long beans right up until frost, outproducing regular green beans hands down.
Nutritional Powerhouses
These super long pods have a flavor kinda like a cross between green beans and asparagus when cooked right. They pack a nutritional punch too, with higher protein than green beans plus vitamins A, C, and K, folate, iron and calcium. Not bad for a vine that asks for little in return – just give ’em some space to climb up a trellis or pole and you’re good to go.
Comparing Red and Green Yard-Long Varieties
Yard-long beans come in both green and red varieties. The green ones are a bit firmer in texture and have a vibrant, grassy flavor. Red varieties tend to be more tender and mild, with a flavor more reminiscent of sweet peas. Both pack the same nutritional value. The difference comes down to texture and personal taste preference. Try growing one of each to see which you like better!
Two varieties that we have grown with good success are both from Baker Creek. The green variety that we grew is called “Taiwan Yard Long”. The red variety is called “Chinese Red Noodle.”
Both are heirloom so you’ll be able to save seed from each season, select from the best plants and grow them the following year.
Low Maintenance in the Garden
The reason yard-longs thrive in hot zones like 8b is they very adapted to the heat, unlike those wimpy green beans. And they don’t need tons of water either, handling short dry spells better than most. Once established, you only need to water them occasionally if rain is scarce. A once-a-week drink should do, but always monitor the health of your plants and water more if they seem stressed.
As a legume, yard-longs will also enrich your soil by fixing nitrogen. Plant a patch this summer and you’ll reap beans AND fertilizer! Just make sure to give them sturdy 6-7 foot trellises or poles so the vines can climb up and bear. Pruning isn’t required, but pinching back long runners will encourage more bean production up top.
How to Plant and Grow
When planting, choose a sunny spot with decent drainage and space seeds 6-12 inches apart in rows 3 feet wide. Water well after sowing and wait for sprouts in 1-2 weeks. Once they take off up those trellises, get ready for a long and bountiful bean harvest!
Best Cooking Methods
To get the most flavor and tenderness out of yard-long beans, stir-frying and braising are best. Stir-fry them with garlic, onions, sesame oil or another favorite sauce mixture on high heat for 1-2 minutes just until they start to char. Braising the beans in broth or coconut milk will make them meltingly tender after 15-20 minutes. They also work well in soups or sautéed with other veggies. Avoid boiling or steaming alone, which can make them waterlogged.
So if the dog days of summer have you down, give yard-long beans a shot. Their ability to produce despite scorching temps and limited water will have you hooked.
