Market Farming

[Janet Bachmann <janetb AT ncat.org>]

I've grown yard long or asparagus beans, which are probably the same
as asparagus peans.  Same genus and species as Southern peas!  They aren't
quite a yard long, more like 20 inches, and grow on vines, so need to be
trellised.  I use the same cattle panel trellises that I use for tomatoes.
 The first day I took them to the farmers' market, I brought a lot home.
 The next week the daily paper food column did a special on them, and I sold
out.  The Asians who shop at our market also learned I had them, and I sold
out every day.  They need warm weather and protection from deer and rabbits.
 Stink bugs and aphids were occasional insect pest problems.  They need to
be picked while quite thin, before the bean inside the pod gets very big.
 Asian customers would tell me if they were too big or too small, and they
didn't all have the same opinion!
Preparation for stir fried asparagus beans:  Parboil for about 3 minutes.
 Drain, cut in shorter pieces, and stir fry.  
>   
> has inspired me to want to try growing 
> asparagus peas and sesame next year! Anyone 
> tried either of those?
>
> Pam Dawling, Twin Oaks Community, Louisa, 
> Va (zone 6b)
>
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-- 
Janet Bachmann
Agriculture Specialist
National Center for Appropriate Technology
P.O. Box 3657
Fayetteville, AR  72702
(479)442-9824
(479)442-9842 fax
janetb AT ncat.org 
www.attra.ncat.org