LONG AND SKINNY AND DEFINITELY SERPENTINE, SNAKE BEANS HAVE A REPTILIAN HABIT OF CLIMBING ALL OVER THINGS
True to their name, snake beans are long, thin and snakelike. These giants of the legume world are also known as yard long beans as they can grow to a metre or more in length.
Snake beans are native to parts of Asia (possibly originating in South China) so are much more tolerant of heat and humidity than beans normally grown in the backyard vegie patch such as French or runner beans. They are best grown in the tropics and subtropics as they are not frost tolerant.
These vines also crop over a long period and can grow right through summer and into autumn. Although the beans can reach up to 1.2m in length, they become tough as they get larger so it’s best to harvest when they’re around 30–50cm long. Snake beans are often seen in large bundles for sale at fresh food markets.
As well as the commonly seen green snake bean, there’s also a variety called ‘Red Dragon’, which has a long green pod and red seeds. The red seeds are slow to form so this variety stays tender even when quite long.
Other snake bean varieties may have black or brown seeds. ‘Red Noodle’ has red beans and there are also varieties with purple beans.
Denne historien er fra November - December 2018-utgaven av Good Organic Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra November - December 2018-utgaven av Good Organic Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Glamour girls
EVERYONE LOVES A HARDWORKING ISA BROWN BUT GET A LOAD OF THESE CHIC CHICKENS AND FEATHERED FASHIONISTAS
FRIED VEG
IT’S POSSIBLE TO ENJOY A FRY-UP IN A DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY WAY BY TURNING TO SOME FRY-FRIENDLY PLANTS
BEYOND BIG RED
TOMATOES COME IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND COLOURS, SO NOW’S THE TIME TO EXPLORE THEIR INFINITE VARIETY
EVEN MORE TROPPO
ANOTHER SENSATIONAL SIX TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR GARDEN — OR YOUR FRUIT SALAD
LET'S STALK RHUBARB
JUST AS TOMATO IS A FRUIT USED AS A VEGETABLE, RHUBARB IS A VEGETABLE COMMONLY CONSUMED AS A DESSERT
FOOD OF THE GODS
THE FLESHY FRUIT OF THE FICUS WAS MUHAMMAD’S FAVOURITE AND BUDDHA FOUND ENLIGHTENMENT UNDER A FIG TREE
MAKING GOOD BETTER
THE IRREPRESSIBLE TV PRESENTER WRITES ABOUT HOW SHE, WITH HUSBAND ANTON AND DAUGHTER FRIDA, TURNED A STEEP HOBART BLOCK INTO A PRODUCTIVE GARDEN
True lily
MANY PLANTS ARE CALLED LILIES BUT IT’S THE MEMBERS OF THE GENUS LILIUM THAT ARE THE REAL DEAL
SALTY BUDS
THE CAPER BUSH PRODUCES TWO DISTINCT BUT EQUALLY DELICIOUS, TANGY MORSELS: CAPERS AND CAPERBERRIES
Ducks on duty
BUSY, VIGILANT, HARD ON GARDEN PESTS AND GENEROUS LAYERS — YOU’VE GOTTA LOVE A DUCK!
