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 59°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 10 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-11 weeks. Pick early, pick often.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in separate bed

Your comments and tips

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24 Nov 20, Anon (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Try a few seed selling internet sites. The main growing time in Sydney is in the autumn and winter to early spring. Go to the Temperate Climate Zone for Australia. At the top of the page on left side is PLANT NOW. That will tell you what to plant each month. I would suggest she grow things she likes to eat. Radishes , lettuce, normal peas, beans. Be sure you plant them at the right time. She can buy some seedlings at Bunnings or any nursery. That will give a good result for starting out.
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25 Aug 19, A. K. (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I get the winged beans seeds in South Africa?
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10 Nov 20, Astrid (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If anyone is looking for seeds, I found some online at sandveldorganics.co.za - excellent service, speedy delivery.
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26 May 19, Theresa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Newcastle and grow winged bean in my garden. It is the second year I tried to grow this plant. First year the plant died in winter but the root is still alive so I continued to grow them last spring. They have some flowers( white/purple) right now and have some fruits already. However, the fruits are very tiny, after two weeks still not much growth. Does it mean the weather in Newcastle is too cold for my winded beans? I got another type of seeds which claims it will flowers in colder climate but need to wait until spring time. Thanks for your time.
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15 Jan 19, Daniel Pawlenko (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow winged beans in brisbane and its all set up with drip lines .It's very hot here and dry at the moment and I'm exspiriencing hard dark green beans at the moment. Does anyone know if this is from hot temps or not enough water. Kind Regards Daniel
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16 Jan 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You will more likely have far better success planting in the early autumn to early spring. Trying to grow things in summer in S E Qld is a hard game in summer(HOT, WINDY, storms) - have a rest and work on building your soil up for March/April planting.
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28 Oct 18, Phil M (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in the Adelaide region and my winged bean plant has just completed a massive burst of flowers and crop. This seemed completely out of season as it was planted at least a year ago, barely survived summer without flowering throughout, survived winter without a problem (which seems to contradict its need for higher soil temperatures), then in mid-August took off with growth and flowers. I've just cut it right back so is it possible it will start new growth and survive another season?
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01 Nov 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Have a look at this article www.bbg.org/gardening/article/the_asparagus_pea
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01 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I can't find if they are annual or perennial. Sounds like annual. Let them grow and see what happens.
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10 Nov 18, Phil M (Australia - temperate climate)
After two weeks with regular watering, it has succumbed to nature, dried up and died, so it's definitely an annual. Contrary to what it states on the seed packet, I will not be starting off new seedlings until towards the end of summer and hoping for a repeat burst of flowers in late winter and early spring. Thank you also Liz for that article... what struck me in the comments section there was this from a Canberra grower.... 'I live in Canberra, Australia, and can report that I sowed some asparagus peas last spring. They didn’t produce much that season but, amazingly to me who had thought they wouldn’t last our winter here, they are flowering profusely and bearing fruit now, the second month of spring. And temperatures this winter got down to -7C!' This is very much how my own plants responded.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 120 comments
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Thanks for pointing this out, the 'pea' vs 'bean' nomenclature and profusion of common names is indeed confusing. Given the references to red vs blue flowers and variable cold-hardiness in this thread it is pretty clear people are talking about both Lotus tetragonobolus (asparagus or winged pea, the topic of this page) and Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (winged bean aka Goa bean, cigarillas, four-angled bean, four-cornered bean, manila bean, princess bean, dragon bean). A bit of googling and the comments here show they are indeed quite different: Lotus tetragonobolus aka Tetragonolobus purpureus is the one sold at Bunnings (https://www.bunnings.com.au/johnsons-winged-pea-seed_p2961839), the pods of which are supposed to taste like asparagus. It has red flowers, a spreading low habit, and only the pod is edible. Harvest early & often, best around 2.5 cm (80 days, or 1-2 days after flower fade) and before 5 cm. It does well in a temperate/Mediterranean climate, not so well in the tropics. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (winged bean, Goa bean etc) is available in Australia from a few specialist seed merchants, just search using the Latin name. It has white/blue flowers and climbs to 3m, all parts are edible though the beans should be picked < 10cm as they become woody. Plant soaked & scarified seed in early summer (or start indoors) for best germination and cropping during shorter winter days (note many varieties are day length sensitive - try Hunan or Emerald Star varieties, daylight neutral). Perennial unless its tuber is harvested.

- A. Gardener

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