Cool Beans
Mix it up in the kitchen with these fun beans
Beans can be enjoyable to grow and harvest, especially when they have interesting flavors, colors and shapes. Take a look at some fun and noteworthy beans we have on our menu:
Winged Bean
The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), true to its name, has uniquely angled, leaf-like “wings” running lengthwise to the pods. This plant produces round, green seeds that are high in protein, making them an excellent choice for an edible garden. The seeds are prepared and eaten much like bush snap beans. When mature and ready for harvest, the pods are 6-9 inches long and 1 ½ inches wide. This species’ growth habit is similar to the ordinary garden pole bean, with long leaves on weak vining stems. Like many legumes, the winged bean is excellent at adding nitrogen to the soil. You can grow this bean during winter in South Florida and during fall in North and Central Florida.
Edamame
Edamame (Glycine max) shares the same species name as soybeans, but stands apart for its larger seeds, which require more growth time. Edamame reaches maturity when pods are still green, whereas soybeans continue to mature until the seeds dry out. The seeds of edamame must be cooked to be eaten and have a slightly sweet taste. The pods are not edible. This bean is often used in salads, soups and stir fries and is valued for being high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Edamame generally can be planted when there is no chance of frost and when the soil temperature is warm. Specific dates are September-April in South Florida, February-March and August-September in Central Florida, and March-April and August in North Florida. The pods should be ready to harvest within 11-17 weeks from sowing.
Yard-long Beans
Yard-long beans (Vigna unguiculata subs. sesquipedalis) are known for producing extremely long pods, 2 to 4 feet in length. It is a climbing vine that could really wow your dinner guests. It has purple or black kidney-shaped seeds, but no need to remove them — the whole bean pod can be eaten. These long beans can be straight or irregularly twisted. Yard-long beans can be planted September-April in South Florida, February-August in Central Florida, and March-July in North Florida. It’s important to wait until all danger of frost has passed. The beans should be harvested at an immature stage before the seeds have fully matured. This is between 10 to 13 weeks after sowing, usually when the pods are 10 to 12 inches long. Long beans are an excellent source of protein and vitamins A and C.
Plant these cool beans in full sun and well-drained soil. Make sure you provide a support structure for yard-long and winged beans to climb on; edamame is a bush type and doesn’t require support. Water regularly but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to disease. Applying compost and mulch can help retain soil moisture and keep weeds at bay. Seeds of these plants are available from online specialty sources.
For more information about planting beans in your area, reach out to your local UF/IFAS Extension office.
