In this article, we talk about the harvesting time of broad beans both in tender pods, green beans, or dry beans, considering weather conditions and other aspects. Let’s see How & When to Harvest Green Beans, both in tender pods, green beans, or dry beans. Also, I explain How to Know When Green Beans Are Ready to Harvest. I encourage you to continue reading this article to the end, as at the request of our gardening readers I have included specific information for harvesting green bean varieties such as Contender Bush Bean, Golden Wax Beans, Kentucky Wonder Beans, Rattlesnake Beans, and Blue Lake Bush Bean.
To know the optimum harvest time, we cannot talk about specific dates, since it will be earlier or later depending on multiple factors such as variety, sowing date, weather conditions, crop care, etc. Green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are commonly planted as an annual plant from March to July-August depending on the USDA hardiness region. Although each variety is different, the start of outdoors planting begins when the soil temperature is no lower than 60-65 F. Depending on the temperature, hours of light, and variety, the harvest can be very different. That is why it is so important to understand when green beans are ready to harvest.
How Do You Know When to Pick Green Beans? It is much more accurate to observe the green beans plant with some frequency to determine when the pods are ready to be harvested.
In turn, depending on whether the pods are to be harvested green – with their grains not yet fully formed – or dry, they should be harvested at different times, as we will see below.
When to Harvest Green Beans – Tender String Bean Pods
When To Harvest Green Beans – Tender String Bean Pods. This is the first or earliest harvest and must be done at the precise moment when the pods are still tender because if you wait a little longer they will become hard.
As with beans, not all pods ripen at the same time, so this harvest has to be done in stages, from when the first pods reach their optimum point for consumption until the plant stops producing or its quality worsens.
The production per square meter of land is usually around 400 or 1000 grams of tender pods, although it depends a lot on the climate and other factors of the crop.
Best Time to Pick Green Beans
Best Time to Pick Green Beans. In the earliest varieties – or in warmer climates – harvest can begin as early as late fall and early winter, when sowing has been done in late summer, or throughout the winter and spring if sown later in the fall.
Best Time To Pick Green Beans. With other later varieties – or in colder climates – harvest usually occurs throughout the spring and into early summer.
Best Time to Harvest Green Beans. The best time to harvest green beans is in the morning when their sugar levels are maximum.
When to Pick Green Beans
When To Pick Green Beans. It is possible to pick green beans between 2 and 3 months from sowing. In general, harvesting of tender pods usually begins 2 to 3 months after planting.
When To Harvest Green Beans Tender Pods
When To Harvest Green Beans Tender Pods. Tender pods, with barely formed beans, soon become harder and swollen, a sign that the beans have fattened inside.
How To Know When Green Beans Are Ready To Harvest. Obviously, in order to harvest the green beans, the tender pods cannot be harvested, or at least not all of them.
How To Know When Green Beans Are Ready To Harvest. When it is observed that there are significant bulges in the pods, one of them should be opened to see the condition of the bean. If it is the desired size and still green, it can be harvested.
How To Know When Green Beans Are Ready To Harvest. Do not wait too long either, as green beans will quickly harden before the pods change color.
When To Harvest Dry Beans
When To Harvest Dry Beans. This is the later harvest, just as the pods begin to darken in color and dry out.
When To Pick Dry Beans. The pods should be harvested before they begin to open naturally, as by then many beans may have already fallen to the ground and become dirty or wet.
How Do You Know When To Pick Green Beans and Dry Beans? Not all pods dry at the same time, so harvesting should also be staggered. They could be left on the plant until they are all dry, but then the more advanced pods would open and lose the beans.
Best Time to Pick Dry Beans. It is important that the pods are not wet at the time of harvest, so they should be harvested in good weather and before rainfall which can spoil the grains.
Generally, a yield of 1 to 2 kg of dry beans per square meter of land can be expected.
How and When to Harvest Green Beans
Let’s see a few tips about When to Harvest Green Beans, Best Time to Pick Green Beans, and How to Know When Green Beans Are Ready to Harvest for Contender Bush beans, Golden Wax Beans, Kentucky Wonder Beans, Rattlesnake Beans, and Blue Lake Bush Bean
Contender Bush Bean
The stringless Contender Bush Bean matures early and produces high yields. The Contender Bush Bean is adaptable. It performs well in short, cool growing seasons or hot climates. The beans are 5 to 7- 8 inches long and retain their flavor when frozen or canned.
When to Pick Contender Beans
Harvesting Contender beans: Once bean pods appear, you can pick them frequently, every 2 or 3 days to extend the harvest time.
- Beautiful - Large premium seed packet of Contender Bush Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds. Minimum of 7g per packet (about 39 seeds). Stringless bush bean that matures early and produces high yields. Adaptable, performing well in short, cool growing seasons or in hot weather. Beans are 5-8" long and retain their flavor when frozen or canned.
- Productive - Contender Bean germinates in 7-12 days when soil temps are 65-75°F. Plant 1” deep and space 3-4” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 12-22” tall with a spread of 16-20”. Beans will mature in 60-75 days, plant in USDA zones 3-10.
- Good Eats - Fresh beans are a garden treat. Roast your beans or sautee them for a delicious dinner addition, or eat them raw straight from the garden for a tasty snack! Beans will also hold up well when frozen or canned.
Golden Wax Beans
Golden Wax Beans are stringless buttery yellow beans. Golden Wax bean pods are 4-6″ long and retain their flavor very well flavor when frozen or canned.
When to Pick Golden Wax Beans
Harvesting Golden Wax Beans: Once pods appear, pick frequently to extend the harvest, every 2-3 days.
- Beautiful -- Large individual packets of Kentucky Contender, Royal Burgundy and Golden Wax Bush Bean to pack your garden with protein this season.
- Productive -- Bush bean varieties are notoriously vigorous - you are guaranteed a bountiful harvest. Bean pods have a tender texture with a reliable flavor. Great fresh, canned, or frozen.
- Good Eats -- Homegrown beans are incredibly delicious. They are great steamed, roasted, or sautéed with other vegetables, as an ingredient in casseroles, or even eaten raw.
Kentucky Wonder Beans
Kentucky Wonder beans are a variety that produces heavy clusters of green beans. The Kentucky Wonder bean pods are stringless when harvested young. The Kentucky Wonder bean pods may reach 9-10″ when fully mature and retain their flavor when frozen, dried, or canned.
When to Pick Kentucky Wonder Beans
When to Pick Kentucky Wonder Beans. Once Kentucky Wonder Beans begin developing, pick every 2 or 3 days to prolong the harvest.
- So Many Green Beans - Kentucky Wonder Pole beans are the standard pole bean because they are Easy to Grow with High Yields. Each vine will produce numerous pods of delicious green beans that reach from 7-10 inches long.
- Versatile Snap Bean - Kentucky Wonder Pole is tender and stringless when harvested 5" or smaller. Does well canned, frozen, or pickled for long term storage. Is also a delicious shelling bean.
- Food Security for Your Family - Plant now or store for future growing seasons. Will remain viable for years if stored in a cool dry location. Each packet has instructions for saving seeds so you can perpetuate your harvest and share with others.
Rattlesnake Beans
The Rattlesnake Bean variety is a vigorous pole bean that grows up to 10′ tall. When cooked, the beans are green with purple lines that fade away. The long beans have a tender texture that cans and freezes well.
When to Harvest Rattlesnake Beans
When to Harvest Rattlesnake Beans. Once Rattlesnake Beans begin developing, pick every 2 or 3 days to prolong the harvest.
- Beautiful - Large premium packet of Rattlesnake Pole Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds. These vigorous climbing beans will be a focal point in your vegetable garden with the unusual purple streaks on dark green beans. Minimum of 13g per packet (about 40 seeds).
- Productive - Rattlesnake Pole Bean germinates in 4-10 days when soil temps are 65-75°F. Plant 1” deep and space 4-6” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 8-10’ tall with a spread of 12-16”. Beans will mature in 55-65 days, plant in USDA zones 3-10.
- Good Eats - Homegrown beans are incredibly delicious. So much more tasty than canned or frozen beans. They are great steamed. roasted or sautéed with other vegetables, as an ingredient in casseroles, or even eaten raw.
Blue Lake Bush Bean
Blue Lake Bush Bean is a tender annual plant that grows 15″ tall. Therefore, it is a compact bush and so there is no need for poles, trellis, or support for vertical growth. Blue Lake bean pods are 6-7″ long. The Blue Lake Beans is one of the best-tasting green beans in North America. Blue Lake Beans are tender, sweet, round stringless beans that are great for fresh eating, canning, and freezing.
When to Harvest Blue Lake Bush Beans
When to Harvest Blue Lake Beans. Juicy and crunchy Blue Lake Bush Beans are easy to grow and quickly ready to harvest.
Harvest when beans are 3-5″. To encourage new beans and extend the harvest, is better to pick green beans frequently every 2-3 days. When leaving mature green beans on the plant will cause stop or slow green beans production.
When Is The Best Time to Harvest Blue Lake Bush Beans
Definitely, the best time to harvest Blue Lake Bush Beans is in the morning when their sugar level is highest.
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Hope you find this article useful. Need more information about harvesting green beans? Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Recommended article: When Are Potatoes Ready to Harvest, How To Harvest, and How To Store Potatoes After Harvesting
