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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Palustris on September 20, 2010, 21:01:17

Title: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Palustris on September 20, 2010, 21:01:17
Anyone grow them? We reckon that as long as you do not let them get too long and so go tough, that these are better tasting than either French Beans or Runners(yuck!). However, they are too tender to grow outside with us.
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Emagggie on September 20, 2010, 21:07:13
I have tried to grow these several times and as soon as I put them in the ground they peg out.  :( Maybe I'd do better in the greenhouse too, even though we are south east.
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: muddylou on September 20, 2010, 22:16:51
I grew them outside this year despite all negative posts. I should have listened to them, the seeds came from Thailand, they grew head height but never even flowered. Needless to say I never had any beans.
     I've read that there are a variety (from America I believe) that have been developed to grow in colder climates. Will try these next year.
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: jennym on September 20, 2010, 22:31:45
I've had a problem with these yard long beans here too. They just don't thrive for me. I know a chap in Colchester who does very well with them though. Did try Hunter beans this year, they were very good indeed.
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: :( on September 20, 2010, 23:50:19
I have tried to grow these several times and as soon as I put them in the ground they peg out. 

Me too.
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Paulines7 on September 21, 2010, 00:29:11
I tried to grow Yard Long Beans last year but they were a failure. 

I also tried Hunter beans this year for the first time and they were brilliant.  They were earlier than the runners even though they were planted the same time.  This extended the cropping period for my beans as I was picking the Hunters two weeks before the Runners started flowering. 
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: 1066 on September 21, 2010, 07:33:26
I've read that there are a variety (from America I believe) that have been developed to grow in colder climates. Will try these next year.

If you find out the name can you let us know. I'd love to try them, and might be able to beg / borrow some greenhosue space next year

Thanks

1066  :)
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: goodlife on September 21, 2010, 08:22:33
Yes..no success with yard long here neither..had few to eat in past..but that is how far I've got.. ::)
But I'm not beaten..I'm going to try again and again until I 'crack the code' with them..next year..I'll try again..and some indoors.. ::)
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Emagggie on September 21, 2010, 08:57:30
Are 'Hunter' french or runner type beans? I grow both but looking for a new variety for next year. I like the look of the Yard long beans though, so I may well give them a final go. ;D
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: BarriedaleNick on September 21, 2010, 09:53:45
I have tried to grow these several times and as soon as I put them in the ground they peg out. 

Me too.

Me three!
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Paulines7 on September 21, 2010, 10:17:15
Are 'Hunter' french or runner type beans?

They are classified as a French bean, yet they look more like runners.  For those that haven't grown them, Hunter are the flat beans that are now found in supermarkets.  There is a picture of them here:
http://www.unwins.co.uk/french-bean-hunter-seeds-climbing-pid1132.html

According to the site below, Yard Long Beans require a conservatory or poly-tunnel in cooler climes. 
http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/pages/altsal.htm

Has anyone managed to grow the Yard Long in Britain and if so do they taste any different to Blue Lake climbing French beans? 
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Emagggie on September 21, 2010, 10:32:11
Thanks for the info Pauline. Looks good to me. :)
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: muddylou on September 21, 2010, 12:35:24

If you find out the name can you let us know. I'd love to try them, and might be able to beg / borrow some greenhosue space next year

Thanks

1066  :)
[/quote]

I'll have a Google after work and see if I can find it again, then let you know.
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: muddylou on September 21, 2010, 12:56:57
I think it must have been these I noticed, trouble is they only deliver to the US and Canada.  :-[

http://www.botanicalinterests.com/store/search_results_detail.php?seedtype=V&seedid=356
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Squash64 on September 21, 2010, 13:32:02
I have tried to grow these several times and as soon as I put them in the ground they peg out. 

Me too.

Me three!

Me four!
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Digeroo on September 21, 2010, 14:28:37
I grew some up sweetcorn last year so they were very sheltered and managed to get them to the flowering stage but no beans. 
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Palustris on September 21, 2010, 15:37:11
Interesting. We manage to get a decent crop (well enough for the 2 of us) in the Polytunnel.
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: cleo on September 21, 2010, 15:41:58
No luck with them here either-indoors. But it can be done as I have seen them growing in a greenhouse a few miles North of here.

http://www.eastonwalledgardens.co.uk/

The gardener was not around so I couldn`t get any `tips` but judging by what else was growing in there it was nothing special so I guess it`s just a matter of luck and starting them early enough
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: betula on September 21, 2010, 16:22:02
I have grown Enorma this year with great success.They are described as a traditional exhibition variety with very long straight pods.
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: cornykev on September 21, 2010, 17:49:50
No joy here with the YL beans either, they germinated direct, grew a bit and stopped.        :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: PurpleHeather on September 21, 2010, 18:32:32
I grow food for eating and am always telling newbies on our allotments that you do not have to have the biggest to have the best for food.

Seems that growers and cookers are two different species.

The guy who took home. Proudly, 15 huge marrows was disappointed when his wife was not delighted with what he brought to her kitchen for cooking.

You have to decide what you want when you grow veg. Is it for eating or showing off with?

You have no idea how many people told me that they hate stringy runner beans until I showed them the size they should be for eating. TAKE off and compost those which are too big so that new tasty ones can grow.

Cabbages, harvest a few too soon, and treat them as 'spring greens' instead of waiting for there to be tons hearted up and too many to eat.

Learn to cook or consult some one who can before you try to grow PLEASE.

Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: muddylou on September 21, 2010, 19:23:08
This looks more promising, the last variety in the product list. They don't have any seed stock but not surprising at this time of year. Will order some when in stock and give them a try.

http://www.eseeds.com/search.aspx?searchterm=yard+long+beans
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: 1066 on September 22, 2010, 13:12:27
thanks, have added the details to my favourites  :)

meant to add - yard long beans are truly scrumptious, so can imagine how good home grown would be like .......  :)
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 22, 2010, 13:55:16
Has anyone tried growing them under cover?
Title: Re: Yard Long Beans
Post by: betula on September 22, 2010, 14:02:34
I appreciate biggest is not always best but surely it is a lot of fun to try out different varieties?

Do not see what it has to do with cooking skills really  ???
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