Red Noodle

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Tender, ribbonlike pods unfurl in a vivid, wine-red glow—silky to the touch and wonderfully crisp when young.

Red Noodle’s slender, long pods hold their color beautifully as they mature, offering a fresh, green-bean sweetness with a delicate snap that shines in quick stir-fries, sautés, and vibrant roasts. Grow it for repeat harvests: pick often for the most tender texture, and let the abundance fuel colorful sauces and pickling jars alike.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 23rd
Harvest Begins	Jul 17th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	60
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Noodle asparagus bean cooks fast and rewards you for impatience: snap stays snap, not soft, and the color stays vivid under short, hot heat. Treat it like fine green beans—sear hard and move on—then finish with acid or salty umami to make the sweetness pop.

Best Uses

quick stir-fries where they stay ribbon-crisp
sautéed with garlic and a glossy butter/olive oil finish
flash-roasted on high heat for lightly charred edges
quick pickles or brines to keep that wine-red look

Flavor Profile

green-bean sweetness tender-crisp snap subtle starchy nuttiness

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon ginger olive oil butter soy sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Vigna sesquipedalis (asparagus bean/‘Red Noodle’), and how do I control it?

Watch for cowpea aphids and leaf-feeding beetles, which can cluster on young shoots and underside leaves and stunt growth. Spray plants with a strong jet of water to dislodge aphids, then use insecticidal soap if they persist; remove heavily damaged leaves. For disease, prevent powdery mildew by watering at the base and spacing rows to keep foliage dry; remove infected leaves early to slow spread.

How often should I water Vigna sesquipedalis during its main growing phase (after it starts running)?

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged from the first flowering through pod fill (about weeks 3–8), aiming for roughly 1 inch of water per week total (more if it’s hot and windy). Water deeply at the root zone, and let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly between waterings to avoid soggy roots. Mulch helps maintain even moisture so the long pods size up quickly.

How can I tell when ‘Red Noodle’ asparagus beans are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are young, tender, and about 8–12 inches long (often around 55 days), with a crisp snap when bent. The pods should be slender and still bright-colored; if seeds are bulging or the pod feels tough/stringy, it’s past peak quality. Pick every 1–2 days during the main harvest window to encourage continuous pod production.