Growing Asparagus Pea, also Winged bean

Lotus tetragonobolus : Fabaceae / the pea or legume family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P              

(Best months for growing Asparagus Pea in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 15°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 25 cm apart
  • Harvest in 8-11 weeks. Pick early, pick often.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in separate bed

Your comments and tips

26 Apr 22, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You could experiment with a few of the seeds of each variety and note which are successful.
17 Jun 23, Erin Nesbitt (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I live in Texas and it is almost the end of June here. When can I plant these beans or is it too late to plant them now. Would appreciate your response. Thanks.
07 Nov 23, Cynthia (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Erin, I also live in Texas and I’m trying to get more information on growing winged beans. Did you ever get any answers to your question? If you did can you let me know please. Cynthia
Showing 11 - 13 of 13 comments

Also known as the Winged bean, Goa Bean or Asparagus Pea (Psophocarpus or Lotus tetragonolobus) of Southeast Asia often called the 'supermarket on a stalk'; almost the whole plant can be eaten. – The leaves taste like spinach; – the sautéed flowers like mushrooms; – the young pods are like green beans; – the young seeds are like peas; – the tubers are richer in protein than potato, yam or cassava; they can be boiled, fried, baked or roasted. – the mature seeds are like soya beans and also yield oil; they can be ground into flour and even liquefied into a beverage tasting like coffee (with no caffeine). – The leaves can be dried and rolled into low-tar, low-nicotine cigarettes; – As a leguminous plant it has nitrogen-fixing nodules in the roots - great for the garden rotation.

- Bill Martin

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