Borlotti beans

[Heidi]

When should we be picking borlotti beans?

How can you tell when the beans are big enough to be picked and podded?

Can you eat the pods?

The beans we have, all the packets are in italian and my italian isn't that good!

[Snadger]

You can eat the pods young like runner beans but they are usually grown for the beans themselves!

[Heidi]

You can eat the pods young like runner beans but they are usually grown for the beans themselves!

So when do we know when they're ready to pick for when the beans themselves are ready?

I want to use the beans, but no idea how to tell when they're ready cos the pods look fat now but having picked a few the beans are tiny inside.

[DirtDobber]

If I am going for shelly beans....I wait until the pod is almost dry looking....

[Paulottie]

Last year I just left the whole lot on the plant till September. You need to let the pods mature and dry in order to save the haricots.

[Sue]

Paulottie
"To Dry" ?????

Ha, ha, ha, ha......gets taken away
Sue

[Paulottie]

As I normally have lots of Runners and French beans, fresh or blanched for the freezer. If I want to keep the beans rather than use them fresh, I find they store better if I let the pods dry out before shelling. I then store them in jars and add to soups etc. in the winter.

..... I still fail to see what is insane/funny about that? but glad I've amused you Sue

[Cutecumber]

I think she was hysterical at the thought of anything being dry this season, Paul!

[heebiejeebie]

I'm just about to plant mine out! Packet advised planting out in July/August.

[Flummery]

I dry yin-yang beans for winter use. I let them wizen up a bit on the vine then put them on the greenhouse staging (on newspaper) to finish drying. Pod them when they rattle!