Planning on beans (for drying) for next year

[grannymem]

This is such an interesting thread!
One question from a relative beginner - how long can you go on growing beans in the same site - how often will they need to be rotated?

[Rabidbun]

So many questions!
...
Leave them on the plants until the pods lose colour and go crispy - and bring them in and finish them off indoors - under newspaper, in the airing cupboard, on tables in trays [anywhere really]....and when the sound of the beans changes from thuddy to cracky [you WILL be able to tell] then you can store in lovely jars and gaze lovingly at your beans.

I'd say, suck it and see - grow a few of each and see what suits.

Have you ever uprooted whole plants to bring in and hang/dry, before the pods have gone crispy, with any success? With the current wet weather I am finding that my bean pods are getting close to dry and leathery but are just rotting away with grey mould and the like and taking the beans with them.

Am now running out of pods for a couple of the heritage ones that just had ten plants, and am worried I might lose the chance to grow them again if I leave them out, but also want them to actually be ready to save/germinate next year.

[zazen999]

Have you ever uprooted whole plants to bring in and hang/dry, before the pods have gone crispy, with any success? With the current wet weather I am finding that my bean pods are getting close to dry and leathery but are just rotting away with grey mould and the like and taking the beans with them.

Am now running out of pods for a couple of the heritage ones that just had ten plants, and am worried I might lose the chance to grow them again if I leave them out, but also want them to actually be ready to save/germinate next year.

No, as they get close I take them in and put them into trays to finish off.

I also pop a fleece over them to keep the frosts away.

My neighbour left runners on his plants and then went and died; so I was taking the pods off during the winter - even with snow on the ground - all manky and mouldy - but inside the beans were fine after a day or two indoors.

[womble]

I've done the same, middle of the winter, taking out old bean plants, completely mouldy pods and cascades of perfect beans falling on the floor.
On the other hand, this year I've had beans rotting in pods after bringing them in to dry, they were grown in a shady place though.

You need to find the point for that particular bean when the time is OK to take the pods and bring them inside, too early and the beans will shrivel up to nothing and be inedible (or seed worthy), too late and the beans will fall onto the ground.

I reckon that the tipping point is generally when the pod goes soft and floppy, you can take them off and bring them in then.

[Flummery]

The oddity amongst your pea beans might actually have been a cross. I find that beans do cross rather readily - commercial growers say they don't but if you grow organically (don't use insecticides) they do. I usually tip the crosses into a separate jar for 'mixed beans' and only grow on from those that don't look crossed up - they still could be though, as they won't show up till next year.

[Rabidbun]

Thanks, both, am feeling less stressed about it now!

Am dying to see if I have any weird crosses too!

[coreopsis]

Last year I had some Painted Lady(climbing runner bean)donated by the Grape.Never grew runners before so picked them up too late-pods were tough and stringy,inedible.Beans inside tasted great so decided to get some growing for dried beans.This year I grew some Hestia(dwarf runner)hoping for some dried beans-pods were stringless,so needless to say I've got no beans left!
Anyway,I'll back up Jacob-if you know any bean variety good for drying that matures quickly(location)please let me know

[Flummery]

I think my very favourite is Bird's Egg - a borlotti type climber. It yields well here ooop north and tastes really good in casseroles.

[coreopsis]

Flum,I never came across the bean(dried) that wouldn't taste good
Or maybe it's just me hoovering everything
Just gurgled Bird's Egg bean and look what I found Beans and Herbs another website to bookmark

[Flummery]

If you want some let me know. I'm saving them for the seed saving circle here but I'm sure I can spare a few more! It's not just the taste with these, they have a lovely creamy texture.

[coreopsis]

If you want some let me know. I'm saving them for the seed saving circle here but I'm sure I can spare a few more! It's not just the taste with these, they have a lovely creamy texture.

Only if it's not a trouble for you,I wouldn't like to interfere with the seed circle.
That would be nice,thank you

[Two_Sheds]

I found Beans and Herbs another website to bookmark

That's where my original bean stash came from Now I save my own from those babies

[maytreefrannie]

I've learned so much from this thread. I was thinking of starting a thread about how to dry beans (for use as seed) and now there's no need - this thread has Everything You Need to Know about Drying Beans.

Thanks everyone.

[Flummery]

Only if it's not a trouble for you,I wouldn't like to interfere with the seed circle.
That would be nice,thank you

No prob - I saved masses!

[Two_Sheds]

this thread has Everything You Need to Know about Drying Beans.

and this one has how to cook with them