[ghost61]

Asparagus pea is in full bloom. Germination rate was 100% so I have loads of plants! How long before the pods appear? Worried that I may miss the optimum picking time which I know is when they are quite small. Also the soya beans are loving this weather and you can almost see them growing! Flowers forming, so I am getting quite excited.

[gavinjconway]

Pick the A. Pea when the pods are 3--40 mm long and no longer or they get stringy. Steam or simmer them for 5 or so minutes and splurge butter like asparagus..

[Growster...]

Asparagus peas have to be very young to be tender, as Gavin says.

It takes quite a few to make a serving, but if they're the size he mentions, they're pretty damn good, but, after they get long, the flavour diminishes too, so get 'em while they're very small.

[New shoot]

I agree asparagus peas are best eaten when small and the pods should start appearing pretty soon.

Soy beans are a longer term investment.  You have to wait for them to absorb all the nutrients from the leaves before the beans form.  You end up with pods hanging on leafless plants.  I'm growing these again this year as well.  Have grown them before and enjoyed the crop

[ghost61]

Thanks for the info, New Shoot. Very helpful.