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How to Grow Yard Long Bean 'Orient Express'

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Yard Long Bean 'Orient Express'

Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis

vegetable

Yard long beans, also called asparagus beans, are a warm-season vine crop producing extremely long, slender pods that can reach 12-18 inches. 'Orient Express' is a popular cultivar known for early maturity, high productivity, and tender, flavorful pods. This Asian vegetable thrives in heat and humidity, making it ideal for summer gardening in warm climates.

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Example Yard Long Bean 'Orient Express' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Yard Long Bean 'Orient Express'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Yard Long Bean 'Orient Express'

    Around Jun 6

    ≈ 50 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Yard Long Bean 'Orient Express' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for best production
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 1-2 inches per week, more during hot spells. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
📏
Spacing: 6 inches
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Days to maturity: 50-70 days
🌱
Planting depth: 1 inch

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost aged manure peat moss or coconut coir

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 9-11; can be grown in zones 3-8 as a summer annual after last frost

9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Cotyledons emerge within 7-10 days. True leaves unfold rapidly as the seedling establishes a strong taproot.

Keep soil warm (70-85°F) and consistently moist. Provide bright light to prevent legginess. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they develop true leaves.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Rapid vine extension with compound leaves developing along the stems. Plant establishes climbing tendrils and reaches 3-4 feet in height.

Provide sturdy trellis, stakes, or string support early. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Maintain consistent soil moisture and warmth (minimum 60°F nights).

3

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small, delicate flowers appear in clusters along the vine, typically purple, pink, or white depending on variety. 'Orient Express' produces prolific blooms.

Continue regular watering and support. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage over flowers. Ensure adequate sunlight for flower set. Light hand-pollination by bees and beneficial insects is natural.

4

Pod Development & Harvest

4-8 weeks

Pods elongate rapidly after flower pollination, reaching full length (12-18 inches) in 5-7 days. Pods remain tender and bright green when harvested young.

Pick pods every 2-3 days when 8-12 inches long for best tenderness and to encourage continued production. Use scissors or pinch gently to avoid vine damage. Regular harvesting extends the season.

5

Late Season & Decline

Varies by climate

Productivity slows as temperatures cool in fall or as the plant ages. Remaining pods may become stringy and tough if not harvested.

Continue harvesting for as long as pods remain tender. Reduce watering as growth slows. Plant will decline when nighttime temperatures drop below 55°F.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

corn squash cucumber marigold nasturtium parsley basil

Avoid planting near:

fennel onions garlic peppers

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; prune heavily infested stems.

  • Increase humidity and water foliage; spray with neem oil or sulfur; release predatory mites in severe cases.

  • Hand-pick beetles and egg clusters; apply neem oil or spinosad; use row covers on young plants.

  • Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil; improve air circulation.

  • Ensure good air circulation; spray with sulfur or neem oil; remove affected leaves; avoid overhead watering.

Uses

🍳

Stir-fries and Asian cuisine

Culinary

Yard long beans are a staple in Asian cooking, particularly Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines. Their tender texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor work beautifully in stir-fries, curries, and quick-cooked dishes. [source]

🍳

Fresh preparation and steaming

Culinary

Young pods can be steamed whole, blanched, or eaten raw as a crudités offering a crisp, tender bite. They require minimal cooking (3-5 minutes) to stay tender and retain their delicate flavor. [source]

🍳

Legume nutrition source

Culinary

Yard long beans are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals like iron and potassium. They provide sustainable plant-based nutrition for vegetarian and vegan diets. [source]

🏠

Nitrogen-fixing cover crop

Household

Like other legumes, yard long beans form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil, naturally enriching the soil for subsequent plantings and reducing fertilizer needs. [source]

🦋

Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The abundant flowers of yard long beans attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting garden biodiversity and pollinator populations. [source]

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting 50-70 days after planting when pods reach 8-12 inches long and are still tender and bright green. Pods that grow too long become tough and stringy. Harvest every 2-3 days to maintain tenderness and encourage continuous production throughout the season. Cut pods with scissors or pinch gently to avoid damaging the delicate vine. Morning harvest, after dew dries, ensures peak crispness. The plant will produce prolifically until frost.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 'Orient Express' is notably one of the earliest-maturing yard long bean varieties, delivering harvest-ready pods in as few as 50 days, making it ideal for gardeners in shorter-season climates.
  • 🌱 The pods can grow so quickly that they can almost visibly elongate day by day during peak season; some gardeners report pods reaching full length within a week of flowering.
  • 🌱 Yard long beans originated in Africa but are now deeply embedded in Asian culinary traditions and are sometimes called 'asparagus beans' in English-speaking markets due to their asparagus-like texture and mild flavor.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Pollination Trellis True Leaves
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