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 P P P            

(Best months for growing Asparagus Pea in Australia - tropical 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

02 May 15, (Australia - tropical climate)
They are the same bean......... Glen
15 Feb 15, wendy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
can anyone tell me what is the difference between asparagus peas and winged beans thank you
08 Dec 14, Angie (Australia - temperate climate)
Just bought a pack of winged bean seeds from Bunning... Anyone grow them here in Melbourne before? Any growing tip?
03 May 15, Glen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They do not like hot weather so I would suggest that after soaking the beans in slightly warm water for a couple of hours you plant say midway to end of September in Melbourne.... Cheers- Glen
09 Dec 14, Glen (Australia - tropical climate)
Best to partially cover them with water and soak them until they get soft and then plant them10mm deep do not water them until they appear. regards
16 Jun 14, Steven Johnston (Australia - tropical climate)
I am growing wing beans they have got their 5th set of leaves,they are yellowish in colour is this normal or should I fertilize them if so with what? Thanks Steven
10 Dec 14, glen (Australia - tropical climate)
Sounds like a combination lack of nitrogen, water and to much hot sun. Regards
23 Dec 13, P Chinn (Australia - temperate climate)
When do you grow Asparagus Pea in Perth?....would our dry hot summer be suitable or do I wait for Autumn?
15 Oct 13, Angel (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey, fellow Melbournians, if you have had success growing the winged beans, can you please give me some tips on how to get mine going? I have been trying to germinate my seeds and not been successful. I have soaked them for a day or two until they swell but they don't seem to be sprouting yet. It's been a couple of weeks :-( I even have a controlled environment for them in a heat tray! What do you guys do?
13 Aug 12, Diane (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
The Asparagus pea is a totally edible plant: leaves, flowers, bean pods as well as the roots. I knew them from the Highlands of PNG as a child. I remember well chatting to a Native gardener as he tended his garden. He told me if you want the bean pods, leave the flowers and the beans will grow. If you want the roots to develop, pick the flowers and eat them, but you get no beans. I loved the roots when cooked by the natives. Im not 100% sure but I think it was in the ground oven. His wing bean plants were tall and supported by sapling poles formed into a teepee shape. The flowers were pale and pretty in the pink-mauve-blue type shade, not red. The Highland's temperature was an even 20C to 22C almost year round with wet and dry seasons. Im keen to grow them in NZ as soon as I get them from King Seeds. I'd really like to get the seed from the PNG plants though...
Showing 41 - 50 of 79 comments

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