Sword Bean (Overlook Bean)

Direct sow after last frost, providing a sturdy trellis, in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral, moderately fertile soil in full sun — sword bean is a vigorous tropical climbing annual from Asia and Africa, producing enormous, curved, sword-shaped pods up to 18 inches long that are among the most dramatic in the legume family. When harvested young (3–4 inches long), the whole immature pods can be cooked and eaten like snap beans; the mature seeds can be eaten when thoroughly cooked through multiple water changes (raw seeds and undercooked beans contain canavanine, a toxic amino acid, and must be thoroughly boiled). In traditional Southeast Asian and African cuisines, the young pods are stir-fried, pickled, and used in curries. The plant is a prolific nitrogen-fixer used as a cover crop and soil improver in tropical agriculture. An ornamental conversation-piece in the summer garden where its enormous pods hanging from a trellis never fail to impress visitors. Спосіб посадки: Посів у відкритий ґрунт Відстань між рослинами: 18–24 дюймів Висота: 120–180 дюймів Дні до схожості: 7–14 Температура ґрунту для схожості: 21–29°C

Direct sow after last frost, providing a sturdy trellis, in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral, moderately fertile soil in full sun — sword bean is a vigorous tropical climbing annual from Asia and Africa, producing enormous, curved, sword-shaped pods up to 18 inches long that are among the most dramatic in the legume family. When harvested young (3–4 inches long), the whole immature pods can be cooked and eaten like snap beans; the mature seeds can be eaten when thoroughly cooked through multiple water changes (raw seeds and undercooked beans contain canavanine, a toxic amino acid, and must be thoroughly boiled). In traditional Southeast Asian and African cuisines, the young pods are stir-fried, pickled, and used in curries. The plant is a prolific nitrogen-fixer used as a cover crop and soil improver in tropical agriculture. An ornamental conversation-piece in the summer garden where its enormous pods hanging from a trellis never fail to impress visitors. Спосіб посадки: Посів у відкритий ґрунт Відстань між рослинами: 18–24 дюймів Висота: 120–180 дюймів Дні до схожості: 7–14 Температура ґрунту для схожості: 21–29°C --- Час посадки: 2–4 тижнів від останнього весняного заморозка Direct sow after last frost in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral, moderately fertile soil in full sun; provide a sturdy trellis or fence — sword bean vines grow vigorously to 10–15 feet. Do not eat raw seeds or undercooked beans; thorough cooking is required to destroy the toxic amino acid canavanine.