When to pick dwarf beans

[ButternutSquash]

It's the first time I've grown dwarf french beans, Andante from Johnsons. Guides say pick when 4" long. These are now that length but very thin, maybe 3mm. When should I pick them? Are they really that thin?

[bearded bloke]

4" long is right but at that length they are normally about1/4" diameter (or a little more),maybe give them a few more days to see if they fatten up a bit.

[Bex]

The plants are dwarf but the beans are normal size so you want them like you buy in the shops. If you leave a couple of days they will fatten up.


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[Martin H]

What they say. But the thin ones are tasty too, mind!

[bario1]

Pick them when they look the most tasty.

[RaptorUK]

Pick them when they look the most tasty.

How can you tell ?

I'm growing Canadian Wonder for "Kidney Beans" and I have been wondering when I should harvest . . . one page I read said when the pods start to go yellow.

[bario1]

I assume the OP is harvesting for the pods, rather than the beans... never grown any beans for the pulses, but I imagine you leave them on the vine until the pods are yellow and crispy?

[Martin H]

Raptor, I always pick mine to eat as green beans, hence my earlier response. If you want dried beans for storage you have to wait until the pods have gone crisp, yellow or brown according to variety. This shows that the beans inside are ripe and easy to shell.

If it gets to the end of Autumn and some pods are still green, pick them anyway and spread the pods out somewhere away from the weather to finish drying and ripening. This works fine for runner beans so I expect it works for french beans too (as long as the pods are full).

[teakdesk]

Raptor, I always pick mine to eat as green beans, hence my earlier response. If you want dried beans for storage you have to wait until the pods have gone crisp, yellow or brown according to variety. This shows that the beans inside are ripe and easy to shell.

If it gets to the end of Autumn and some pods are still green, pick them anyway and spread the pods out somewhere away from the weather to finish drying and ripening. This works fine for runner beans so I expect it works for french beans too (as long as the pods are full).

There are some rules on toxins here.

In general, beans that are picked when the pod is "on the turn" are still moist and can be eaten raw or cooked immediately.

If the beans are allowed to dry then toxins can be formed and the beans must be soaked and/or boiled/or whatever before use.

To be safe, always refer to instructions for your particular bean.



EDIT: to me fresh runner beans and french beans, both pods and beans, can be eaten raw just like peas.

If the beans are allowed to swell then, providing they are still in their "fresh" state and not dried I will eat them raw.

However, that may not be safe for some so check with a RELIABLE source before copying me!!!

[Scarlet]

There are some rules on toxins here.

In general, beans that are picked when the pod is "on the turn" are still moist and can be eaten raw or cooked immediately.

Raw beans are poisonous they must be cooked!
My cousin spent two days in hospital after eaten a dozen beans while preparing a load for the freezer last year.

[RaptorUK]

There are some rules on toxins here.

I assumed I would have to soak overnight regardless . . . so I'll work on that assumption to be safe

[teakdesk]

Raw beans are poisonous they must be cooked!
My cousin spent two days in hospital after eaten a dozen beans while preparing a load for the freezer last year.

This site seems to agree with both of us in that it says raw beans contain small quantities of toxins which increase when dried.

It suggests that most people, such as me, will not be harmed from eating fresh, raw beans.

However, some people may be!!! So beware!!!

Green beans - Appropedia: The sustainability wiki

[Scarlet]

My mum has always eaten them raw with no problems although I wouldn't touch them now after seeing my cousin they really made her ill.