Growing Asparagus Pea, also Winged bean

View the Asparagus Pea page

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...
Reply
Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.