Asian Legumes
The Asian legume group includes fruits (usually known as pods), which
are eaten at the immature stage with edible immature seeds (green shell),
and some young stem tips. The winged bean also has edible leaves and
roots, though the latter do not appear to be cultivated commercially in the
continental U.S. Pole bean, long bean (both dark and light green colors), and
broad bean are commercially grown in South Florida. All the pole or indeterminate
types can be grown on raised beds with or without plastic mulch using
drip, overhead, or subsurface irrigation. Fenugreek does not grow well in
rocky soils, such as those found in Miami-Dade County. Pigeon peas are a
semi-perennial shrub in warmer areas. Many pigeon pea and winged bean
varieties are short ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
neutral varieties available of both crops. Edamame varieties, especially those
from seed companies in the U.S., are sensitive to daytime length, so care
must be taken to select varieties for one’s growing area. Japanese varieties
�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������they �������������� ����������������-
er recommendations for pole, long, or broad beans are generally applicable
to this group. All of these crops are started from seed, though winged beans
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������the indeterminate types need some
type of support, ranging from individual bamboo stakes to trellises. However,
some bush type broad beans (Indian type) do not need trellis. For pest
control products, these crops are included in the legume crop chapter.
Table 11.3. Planting information for Asian legumes.
Planting dates Cluster bean / Guar Edamame Fenugreek Hyacinth bean
North Florida Mar – Apr; Aug Mar - Apr; Aug Mar - Apr; Aug Mar - Apr; Aug
Central Florida Feb – Mar; Aug – Sept Feb - Mar; Aug - Sept Feb - Mar; Aug - Sept Feb - Mar; Aug - Sept
South Florida Sept - Apr Sept - Apr Sept - Apr Sept - Apr
Planting information
Distance between rows (in) 24 20-30 9 20
Distance between plants (in) 6 2-6 2-3 4-6
Seeding depth (in) 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5
Days to maturity from seed 90-120 80-120 90-120 90-120
Plant populations 43,560 87,120 348,480 78,409
Planting dates Pigeon pea Snowpea Winged bean Yard-long bean
North Florida Not recommended Jan - Mar Not recommended Mar - July
Central Florida Not recommended Nov - Feb Not recommended Feb - Aug
South Florida Nov - Feb Nov - Feb Mar - Apr Sept - Apr
Planting information
Distance between rows (in) 24-36 36, 2-row beds 36 20 - 42
Distance between plants (in) 2 - 6 2 - 6 8 2 - 6
Seeding depth (in) 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5 1 - 1.5
Days to maturity from seed 180 (early); 270-365 (late) 60 - 80 90 (day neutral varieties) 75 - 90
Plant populations 10,890 87,120 21,780 104,544
Table 11.4. Cultivars for Asian legumes.
Crop Life cycle Cultivars Trellising
Broad bean Annual Yes
Bush type broad bean Annual Indian type No
Cluster bean, Guar Annual Yes
Edamame Annual Green Legend, Lucky Lion, Tohya, Triple Play No
Fenugreek, methi Annual No
Hyacinth bean, lablab bean Annual Akahana Fugimame, Asia Purple, Asia White No
Long bean (dark and light green color) Annual Yes
Pigeon pea (a short-lived perennial) Short-lived perennial No
Snow / snap (edible podded) pea Annual Oregon Sugarpod II Yes
Winged bean, Goa bean Annual Winged Bean, Youdou Yes
Yard-long bean Annual Bia-long, Stickless Wonder, Orient Wonder Yes
182 2019 Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida