Latin Name: Vigna unguiculata
Main Uses: Culinary

Days to Maturity: 60 - 70 days
Exposure: Full sun
Height: Strongly climbing vines 
Certified Organic: Ecocert Canada

Soil and Nutrient Requirements: Beans require soil with average fertility. Choose well-drained, warm soils.

Germination: 7 - 14 days at 22ºC. Temperatures below 15ºC will result in seed-rot.
Indoors / Outdoors: Long beans can be started indoors in early May; just be sure to use a biodegradable pot such as one made from coco-coir. The advantage of starting this type of bean indoors is that you will get to harvest much earlier. Alternatively, direct-seed outdoors once all risk of frost has passed (early June in southern MB). Sow successive plantings every 2 - 3 weeks to ensure a continual harvest.
Planting Depth: 1”.
Spacing: Sow seeds 2 - 3” apart in rows 15 - 24” apart. Thin to 4 - 6” once first true set of leaves has developed.

Growing in Containers: May be grown in raised beds or very large planters, such as barrels.

Mixed Planters: Not suited to mixed planters.

Garden Companions: Beets, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, corn, eggplant, potato, radishes, kale, lettuce, peas, potatoes, swiss chard, and strawberry.
Plants to Avoid: All members of the allium family (onions, leeks, garlic, scallions) and Kohlrabi inhibit growth in beans. Sunflowers will compete for light.

Pest/Disease Issues: Aphids can be washed off plants with a hard stream of water. 

Harvesting: Harvest early and often to increase yields. Remove oversized beans to maintain pod production. Ideal bean size at harvest is 45 cm (18")

Suitability for Indoors: Not suited for indoors.