I hear that different varieties of yard long have slightly different tastes. I only grow one, called Georgia Long. We like our yard long beans fine, but probably, when all things are considered equal, we like regular snap beans a little better. The yard long has the advantage of loving heat to the point that it will produce abundantly when regular pole beans are struggling to keep going.

George
Tahlequah, OK

diclemeg,

This year I am growing the "Orient Wonder" yard long. I totally love the taste. They have a 'nutty, bean' flavour. They are more chewy than pole beans. Most of the recipes state that they should not be boiled but stir fried. I have boiled them and they were OK but not great. I stir fry them in olive oil or canola oil and they taste great. Tender - no strings.

I grew Chinese Red Noodle and Liana last year --- it was my first year and I picked them too soon. This year I picked them when they were almost the thickness of a pencil -- much better flavour and texture. They are prolific and mine are still producing. The "yard long" name is not accurate - in most cases. They should be picked when they are about 18-20 inches long.

In my garden the ants love the vines but do not seem to do any harm to the vines. There are no aphids on my plants so I do not know what the ants are doing. The vines grew to over 10 feet this year.

It is a fun plant to grow.

DL