Bean Seed - Pole - Akanata Mame Sword
80-90 Days to maturity. Canavalia gladiata. Akanata Mame Bean Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, pole, snap, Asian, specialty bean. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. This tropical Japanese cultivated bean is harvested when the pods are young and tender or shelled for dried use. Popular in many parts of India, the dense, glossy, flat green pods have a ridged edge and taste like snap beans. Their texture is similar to snow peas. Large vines grow quickly and should be trellised. Sword Beans are appropriate for a variety of growing situations and culinary applications. They also have beautiful blooms that pollinators love. ~20 seeds/oz.
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Growing Akanata Mame Beans in the Vegetable Garden
Prepare fertile soil with organic matter in a sunny spot. Plant beans directly into the moist soil and keep the area lightly moist until they sprout. When planting Akanata Mame Sword Beans, it’s best to wait until the soil has warmed and there is no longer a danger of frost, as these beans thrive in warm conditions. They should be directly sown into the garden rather than started indoors, as they do not appreciate being transplanted. Sow the seeds about 1–1.5 inches deep, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact.
Once the plants have an established root system, they are less sensitive to over or under-watering. Train vines to climb a trellis. Growing plants will not tolerate a frost, but mature beans aren’t usually impacted. Periodically check for pests throughout the season. Plant near other crops that need lots of nitrogen for maximum benefits. When done harvesting, leave the roots in the ground to decay. This will release the nitrogen into the soil for the next crop. See our free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF for more details.
Harvesting Akanata Mame Beans
Akanata Mame Sword Beans are primarily grown as shelling beans, meaning the main harvest occurs once the pods have matured and the seeds inside are fully developed. You’ll know it’s time to harvest when the pods have grown large, often over a foot long, and the seeds inside feel plump and firm. For shelling beans, leave the pods on the vine until they are nearly dry and turn lighter. You can pick the pods and shell out the seeds for storage or immediate cooking.
If you prefer to use them as a snap bean (when the pods are young and tender), harvest them earlier, before the pods become fibrous. In that case, the pods should be bright green, smooth, and flexible. To harvest, snip the pods from the vine with garden shears or gently twist them off by hand to avoid damaging the plant.>
About Akanata Mame Bean Garden Seeds
Akanata Mame is prized for its large, red seeds and substantial pods. In Japan, sword beans are traditionally used for herbal teas and are believed to have various health benefits. The unique red seeds and the bean’s cultural significance make it an attractive choice for gardeners seeking something unusual.
The mature seeds are characteristically red. The pods are large, thick, and sword-like in shape, often reaching over 12 inches in length.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"My favorite way to cook this vegetable is with garlic. The flavors mesh quite well. The young bean pods are delicious but the flowers are also subtly beautiful. If you love pink flowers, you will love this plant!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Akanata Mame Bean Seeds Per Package:
- 6 g - Wholesale - Approximately 5 Seeds
- 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 85 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 350 Seeds
Non-GMO Akanata Mame Bean seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Canavalia gladiata |
| Bean Sub-Type: | Asian - Asian beans encompass a wide spectrum of bean varieties, either originating from Asia or being especially popular in Asian cultures. Specialty - There are many subcategories of beans, and in the interest of simplifying what would be an overwhelming number of bean varieties, we group them as 'specialty'. These include but are not limited to yardlong beans, winged beans, hyacinth beans, sword beans, asparagus beans, adzuki, mung, garbanzo, and others. |
| Akanata Mame Bean Color: | Green, Pink, Red. |
| Akanata Mame Bean Flavor: | The flavor of mature seeds is mild, starchy, and somewhat nutty. The young pods have a mild, green bean-like flavor but must be cooked thoroughly. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 80-90 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 36-48 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 48-64 inches |
| Plant Height: | 144-204 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Vining |
| Soil Preference: | Beans prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. As light feeders and nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans do not require nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow when soil temperatures are reliably above 60 F. Planting with an inoculant may increase yields, but is certainly not required for a successful grow. |
| Start Indoors: | Not Recommended. Beans grow best without any root disturbance. We recommend direct sowing instead of transplanting. |
| Bean Pollination: | Beans are self-pollinating as they contain both the male and female parts within their flowers, unlike other fruit and vegetable plants. While they are self-pollinating, having a variety of pollinators and flowers around will improve yields by ensuring the greatest chances for pollinating events to occur. |
| Snap or Shell Bean: | Snap - Snap beans have a fleshy edible pod. Snap beans are also commonly referred to as string beans or green beans (though not all snap beans are green). They are called snap beans because they make a snapping sound when you break them in half.. |
| Pole or Bush Bean: | Pole - Pole beans are vining-type plants that put out runners that grow very long or tall. Pole beans are so-called because they require a trellis, support, or wait for it… a pole. Pole beans require more effort than bush beans but may also be grown in containers with the right support. |
| Plant Width: | 24-36 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Late - Ready for harvest around 86 days or more. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Beans are susceptible to beetles, aphids, spider mites, and cutworms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Keeping your bean plants clean from dust build-up and surrounded by a variety of plants to help deter and prevent pest damage. Beans are also susceptible to powdery mildew, bean blight, rust, and root rot. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Bean Use: | Prepare young beans as you would green beans. Thoroughly cook them, and they will be delicious in steamed dishes or stir-fries. If desired, prepare mature seeds by boiling them to neutralize any toxins. |
| Climate Tolerance: |