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Growing Asparagus Pea, also Winged bean, Goa bean

(Lotus tetragonobolus)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
P	P	P					P	P	P	P	P

(Best months for planting Asparagus Pea in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 20 - 25 cm apart
Harvest in 8-11 weeks. Pick early, pick often.
Compatible with: Best grown in separate bed

Pod and flower

This low spreading plant has small trifoliate leaves, and deep crimson flowers are borne in pairs. Harvest pods when approximately 3cm long. ( about 80 days) Asparagus pea is easy to cultivate. It needs average moisture, full sun, and ordinary soil. It needs a long growing season to flower and fruit properly, so start it indoors in cooler areas.

Support with twigs to keep the stems off the ground. Protect from slugs and snails. Pick pods when small as they become hard and dry if left too long.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Asparagus Pea

Cook quickly by steaming and serve with just a touch of butter and they are said to taste like their namesake .

Your comments and tips

14 Jan 12, Roz (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Asparagus Peas can be purchased on Ebay
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05 Sep 11, Hugh (Australia - temperate climate): It is a winter crop in its native environment. In dry Mediterranean climates it should be planted in autumn for a spring harvest. Grew well like this for me.
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25 Feb 11, Lesley (Australia - sub-tropical climate): These seeds are available through Green Harvest Organic Gardening. If you look them up on the net, you will find them. They are an Australian company. Kind Regards, Lesley.
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17 Apr 10, Maria (Australia - temperate climate): I have been searching where to buy asparagus peas seeds, any idea where to get them I live in Adelaide
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04 Apr 10, Debra (Australia - temperate climate): I managed to get a packet of seeds from Yilgarn Traders in Geraldton WA a few years ago, the plants grew but not successfully. Supposedly able to grow here, but maybe getting only 60% annual rainfall for a few years and hotter than normal temperatures made the difference. Moving to Donnybrook WA in next few years, hopefully the pea will take to cooler climate.
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23 Feb 10, Errol (Australia - temperate climate): Asparagus pea seeds available from various agents of Ericavale Aust. 07 5497 0266 . Various growers had problems but others in Melbourne found very vigorous
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16 Feb 10, Esther (Australia - temperate climate): Asparagus pea is known as "four angled bean" from where I come from. It grows very easily when it's draped onto the fencing. We used to slice the asparagus pea & stir fry it with sambal prawn. Yummy!
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16 Jan 10, Robyn Williamson (Australia - temperate climate): I am delighted to hear that Asparagus pea is classified as a noxious weed, easy to grow plants are the best kind in my opinion. I haven't tried them before and hope they taste good. Has anyone here ever tasted them? If so, do you have any interesting recipes?
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10 Jan 10, Dru (Australia - temperate climate): Seeds arrived from NZ with no trouble Mine also struggled to grow. Really felt it was too hot but it has been a scorcher. The few I did get to grow had the prettiest red flower but then they all died. Will try next year in a more sheltered spot.
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16 Oct 09, Karen (Australia - temperate climate): I live in Perth - any ideas if there are suppliers of asparagus pea in WA? Quarantine regulations very tough here, so importing from NZ probably not an option.
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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