When to Plant Asparagus Pea (Winged Bean) in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Sow October to December. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is October.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Asparagus Pea (Winged Bean) guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Two distinct plants are sold under these names in Australia. The true Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) is a vigorous tropical climber where all parts are edible. The Asparagus Pea (Lotus tetragonolobus) is a small temperate annual with winged pods. This guide covers both, clearly distinguishing them. The Winged Bean is the more useful food crop but is strictly tropical/subtropical.

Planting Calendar for Cold / Highland

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - - - D D D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Asparagus Pea (Winged Bean) sowing time in Canberra?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cold / Highland zone right now, Asparagus Pea (Winged Bean) included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 11.2°C (optimal range: 22–35°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Asparagus Pea (Winged Bean) in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

Too cold for either species. Growing season too short and temperatures too low for reliable production.

Soil
Well-drained, fertile loam enriched with compost. Winged Bean tolerates poor soils due to nitrogen fixation. Asparagus Pea prefers lighter, sandy soils.
pH Range
5.5-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun (minimum 6 hours). Winged Bean requires short days to flower in many varieties.
Spacing
30cm apart, 60cm between rows
Watering
Regular deep watering during flowering and pod development. Winged Bean is moderately drought tolerant once established but produces best with consistent moisture.

Companion plants: Corn, Sweet Potato, Cucumber

Avoid planting near: Onions, Garlic, Other Alliums

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Asparagus Pea (Winged Bean)

Recommended Varieties

  • Neither species is recommended

Key Challenges

  • Frost
  • Insufficient heat units
  • No viable growing window

Pro Tips

  • Do not attempt. Grow broad beans, peas and regular beans instead
  • If determined to try Asparagus Pea, use a greenhouse or polytunnel

Harvesting Asparagus Pea (Winged Bean)

When ready: Winged Bean: Pods ready when 7-10cm long, still bright green and snap crisply. Wings (flanges) should be flexible, not tough. Asparagus Pea: Harvest at 2-3cm maximum length. Larger pods are woody and inedible.

How to harvest: Pick pods individually with a gentle twist or cut with scissors. Harvest every 2-3 days to encourage continued production. For Winged Bean tubers, dig after vine dies back at end of season.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

Common Questions About Asparagus Pea (Winged Bean)

When do you plant asparagus pea in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does asparagus pea grow all year round in Canberra?

No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Oct to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.