Asparagus Beans Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis How to Grow: Asparagus or "yard-long" beans originated in Southern Asia and are now grown extensively in Asia, Europe and more recently the U.S. Although they resemble pole snap beans, they are more closely related to southern peas (cowpeas). Asparagus beans are called "Dow Gauk" in China and "Sasage" in Japan. Asparagus beans are easily grown, produce heavily, harvest easily, thrive in hot weather, when snap beans may not produce, are slightly more resistant to drought than snap beans, are much more resistant to bean beetles, and are tolerant of a wide range of soils. Need warm soil to germinate - sow a month after last frost. Grow in the same manner as pole beans or along a trellis, sow seeds 3/4 in. deep, 4 in. apart, thinning to 8 in. One planting along a tall trellis will produce well all season. Harvest: Harvest when pods reach 12 to 15 in., before the seeds fill the pods. The mature beans may be threshed or shelled from the pods and cooked in the same fashion as regular dried beans. Their flavor is like southern peas but with a drier, nutty quality. Young leaves and stems are also edible. Flavor: Sweet and mild, resembling the combined flavor of asparagus, mushrooms, and beans. Serving suggestion: Braid or tie into knots before cooking. Seed Savers: Isolate from cowpeas and other varieties of asparagus beans by 150'. Packet: (4-7g) (24 to 55 seeds, depending on variety) sows 20'. Asparagus Bean varieties A friend of mine gave me 6 of these 2 foot long pods that he called Asian peas, I believe this is it in the picture to be that also, Anyone else try these?