String beans, snap beans, green beans… whatever you want to call them, growing green beans, whether the pole or bush varieties, is one of the easiest vegetables in the summer vegetable garden. If you’ve been growing green bean plants in your garden, but aren’t sure when to harvest, I’ve got you covered!
Green beans love full sun and the heat of summer; and planting time can vary based on where you live, so how do you know the best time to harvest? There are definite things to look for before you know if it’s the right time to harvest. Find out when to harvest your green beans for tender and not stringy and tough pods!
If this is your first time growing pole beans or bush beans, fear not! I have a few full tutorials on growing green beans pods in the garden!
As with many things in life… bigger isn’t always better. This rings true for many things in the garden, beans included. I wish I would have known this tidbit when I first started.
I waited to pick zucchini until they were the size of my arm. Those “arm-sized” zucchini also came with seeds the size of jellybeans. (side note: those big zucchinis aren’t total wastes… they’re great in a multitude of recipes, just see my post Recipes for Large Zucchini!)
While the kid in me still gawks at those quirky enormous pumpkins and other overgrown vegetables, the truth is most large vegetables don’t make for very good eating. The larger a vegetable grows, the tougher it can be, and who wants to chew a green bean or piece of okra for several minutes? Not me.
Young and tender are the key words for most veggies in your summer garden, and those bush or pole beans you’ve been growing are no exception. Once you notice those tiny beans appearing, keep your eye on them. They grow quickly and can soon become too big.
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You can pick green beans from midsummer to early autumn. They should be ready around 50 to 60 days after planting for pole-grown beans, and between 55 and 60 days for bush beans. This will depend on the variety of bean, so make sure to check the seed packet when you first sow your crop.
How to Know if a Bean is Ready to Harvest
Depending on the variety of beans you’re growing (yellow beans, runner beans, dragon tongue, etc.), each will have an estimated time to harvest. This information can be found on the back of the seed packages or plant tags if you’ve purchased seedlings.
Always check this information as a first source of info about the growing season of the beans you’ve grown. Here are the signs to look for to know if the beans you’ve grown are ready:
- You want lean but full beans that are firm to the touch. (Skip the skinny ones that feel flat.)
- Avoid waiting too long to pick when the bean seeds inside are bulging and the bean has become stringy.
- Avoid beans that have black spots or other signs of disease.
Look for a nice lean bean. It should be firm (not soft and squishy) but also not have overgrown seeds like the beans above.
The bean below is ready to be picked. Notice the uniform thickness? This will ensure less stringy-ness and toughness. They will be easier to cook and a much better size for canning or freezing.
Beans that have gotten beyond the tender stage
How to Pick Green Beans
Once you know that your harvest season is approaching, use these easy steps for picking your green beans. Follow these steps for harvesting:
- The first step is to grasp the top of the bean and notice the little stem that connects the bean to the main vine.
- Break off the bean at the stem, or use a pair of sharp pruners to snip the stem from the plant.
- Avoid damaging the whole plant or vine, so watch out that you don’t pull too hard on the bean before it’s truly been broken off. This could cause the vine to come off the trellis, or even the bush to pull from the ground
Now, let’s talk about good harvesting containers for picking green beans, and how to store them once they’re harvested.
A Farmer’s Guide to Mastering Growing Green Beans
FAQ
Will beans ripen after picking?
How soon should you can green beans after picking?
Can green beans be over ripe?
When are green beans ready to pick?
Green beans are ready for picking from mid-summer through early autumn. Green beans are typically ready after about two months from planting green beans from seeds, although this will depend on the variety that you’ve grown. This will vary depending on the kind of bean, so check the seed packaging when you first plant your crop.
Is it safe to eat uncooked beans?
In general, it is unsafe to consume uncooked or raw beans. This applies to uncooked or raw green beans and legumes like peas and lentils. Beans contain compounds called lectins that serve to protect plants from environmental insults, but they can also have toxic effects on humans when consumed in large amounts. Eating raw uncooked beans can cause digestive symptoms like severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and bloating. Lima beans and kidney beans contain some of the highest concentration of lectins and consuming only a few of the beans will cause symptoms similar to food poisoning. Cooking destroys lectins and makes beans safe to eat. Canned beans are also safe because they are precooked.
What happens if you pick green beans too late?
A green bean picked too late can have a soggy, less-tasting bean pod with a higher chance of stringiness. Picked right on time, green beans can have a fresh crispiness and a sweeter flavor. You can even leave them on until the pod dries and turns brown.
How often should you pick green beans?
Generally speaking, green beans should be picked at least every other day or every three days at most once the harvest season starts. To get the best quality green beans from your plants, it is important to pick them when they are fresh. If you wait too long, the pods will not have as much flavor and nutrition.