For the most part, I think you will have the best results with black-seeded varieties. The "Asparagus Bean" that I grow (originally from Jungs) is the earliest pole variety that I have grown. It is very tolerant of cool weather, and the yield can be very high. The beans are dark green, usually with purplish tips. It is strong flavored.

Baker Creek's "Taiwan Black" is a close second, at about a week later. It has very long, thin, light green pods, with a mild flavor. The vines are very vigorous & high yielding.

But the earliest by far is a bush heirloom that was sent to me by a Gardenweb member. It is more of a "footlong" than a yardlong, with light green pods with a firm texture. The seed is light brown.

You can grow nearly any long bean here (other than those which are daylength sensitive) if you start them as transplants.

Thanks Zeedman!

I'll check into the varieties that you listed. A quick check of Jung's web site did not show the "Asparagus Bean" listed. I will have plenty of time to find it before next year....

I did find that BC still offers "Taiwan Black".

In our house, the long beans are not a side dish, but the main meal with stir fried peppers / garlic / and ginger, hence our interest in a better / longer performing variety or varieties. My wife truly enjoys the long beans better than our pole or bush beans... which we have had to use with the long beans due to their diminishing production.

Thanks,

John