You’ve probably heard it’s best to harvest from your garden in the morning. You may have also heard that you shouldn’t pick vegetables when they are wet. These ideas may seem at odds with each other, especially on damp, dewy mornings. But there’s more behind the ‘not wet and not wilted’ reasoning.
I’m going to tell you how to get the most out of your garden so that you can harvest lots of tasty and healthy food. This will make it healthier and more productive.
Green beans are a delicious summer vegetable that many home gardeners look forward to harvesting. However, a common question arises – is it okay to pick green beans when the plants are wet from rain or morning dew? Let’s take a closer look at whether wet bean harvesting is advisable.
An Overview of Green Bean Harvesting
Green beans reach maturity and become ready for picking in 45-60 days after sowing. They should be harvested frequently, at least every 3-4 days to encourage the plants to continuously produce new beans.
The ideal time to harvest is in the morning after any dew has evaporated but before the day becomes hot The beans snap easily off the bush when ready Take care not to damage the plant stems during harvesting.
Problems With Picking Beans When Wet
Wet bean plants are more prone to spreading diseases. Bacterial blight, in particular can be transferred between plants much more easily when moisture is present. Picking beans when wet also increases the risk of spreading fungal diseases like rust and mold.
Wet beans are also more delicate and prone to bruising. The bean pods and stems will be more brittle, so rough handling can damage the plant.
Additionally, wet bean pods may not snap off as cleanly. The stems are more likely to bend or break rather than severing neatly. Jagged cuts may slow healing and provide entry points for disease.
Drying Beans Before Harvesting
When rainfall or heavy dews are forecast, it’s best to wait until plants are thoroughly dry before harvesting. Here are some tips for drying beans before picking:
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Harvest in early morning after dew has evaporated, ideally before 10 am.
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Gently shake plants or use a fan to remove clinging moisture.
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Lay paper towels or cloth beneath plants to absorb excess moisture.
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Allow 1-2 hours of dry time on a breezy day before harvesting.
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Check that bean pods snap crisply before harvesting.
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Handle bean plants very gently if harvesting when still slightly damp.
Storing Wet Beans After Picking
If you must pick beans while wet, take care to dry and store them properly to avoid spoilage:
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Spread out beans in single layer on towels or drying racks.
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Allow 4-6 hours of drying time, turning occasionally.
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When thoroughly dry, store loosely packed in paper or cloth bags.
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Store in coolest area of home, ideally 45-50°F.
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Use within 3-5 days before quality declines.
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Freeze any excess dried beans for longer storage.
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Monitor for mold growth and discard any affected beans.
Wet Beans for Canning and Preserving
For canning, freezing, or other preservation methods, it’s vital to use dry green beans. Wet beans are more prone to spoilage, mold, and bacterial contamination.
Try to pick beans for preserving on dry, sunny days. Allow all surface moisture to evaporate before beginning your chosen preserving process. Damp beans may need gentle towel drying.
Special Considerations for Commercial Growers
For commercial growers, it may not be possible to pick only on dry days. However, take these steps to reduce disease spread:
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Harvest in early morning after dew dries.
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Avoid harvesting after rainfall until plants are dry.
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Gently shake plants before picking to dislodge moisture.
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Sanitize harvesting equipment between rows/plants.
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Remove excess soil and plant debris during processing.
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Rapidly cool and dry beans post-harvest.
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Closely monitor bean quality and storage conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you harvest green beans in the rain?
It’s best to avoid picking beans during rain. The plants are too wet, and you may spread diseases between rows. Wait until rainfall stops and plants dry.
How long do green beans take to dry after rain or dew?
In warm, breezy conditions, bean plants may dry within 1-2 hours. On humid or cool days allow at least 4 hours of drying time before harvesting beans.
Can damp beans be dried in the oven at low heat?
Yes, beans can be gently dried in the oven if necessary. Use temperatures under 140°F and stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
Is morning or afternoon better for harvesting green beans?
Early morning, after dew dries, is ideal. If harvesting later, pick before noon to minimize field heat damage. Avoid afternoon picking.
Can you store freshly picked wet beans in the fridge?
Wet beans will rapidly spoil and mold in the fridge. Always dry beans fully before refrigerated storage.
Is it better to freeze or can wet green beans?
Neither method is ideal for wet beans. Drying the beans fully before preserving gives a safer finished product.
Do green bean leaves transfer bacterial blight if wet during harvesting?
Yes, foliage can also spread blight between plants in wet conditions. Avoid touching leaves when harvesting.
Conclusion
Avoid picking green beans when the plants are wet from dew or rain whenever possible. Wet conditions greatly increase the risks of spreading plant diseases and damaging the bean pods and stems. Instead, harvest beans only after they’ve air dried thoroughly to ensure the highest quality, flavor, and yields from your plants. With a little planning around weather conditions, you can harvest an abundant bean crop.
Why Not When Wet?
In general, we shouldn’t pick plants from our gardens until they are completely dry. This is because when we cut or break off a plant to harvest it, we leave a wound on the plant that diseases can get into.
Fungal and bacterial diseases (blight, powdery mildew, rust, etc. ) multiply while the leaves are wet. So, the chance of them getting directly into a wound is greater with a wet plant as well. This timing also makes it harder for the plant to fend off the diseases in general.
When it rains, any ‘germs’ a plant has on its surface are captured in rain drops. Gardeners who go through the plants while they are wet share the “germy” water from one plant with nearby plants as they move from one plant to the next and brush the leaves.
A walk through a garden right after it rains makes me feel so lush and natural, doesn’t it? But I try to stay on the wide paths and not touch the plants so that diseases don’t spread.
When leaves are wet, their pores become much more open to their surroundings. A plant’s roots and leaves will take up the most water in the morning. As the day goes on and it gets hotter, the leaves’ pores that soak up water tend to close up to keep the water they have. It may look like plants need water later in the afternoon when their pores close, but that’s just their biology taking care of itself and holding on to water from the inside out. That’s why middle-of-the-day-watering is pretty much a waste of time and resources. You’re likely watering a plant that doesn’t need it and can’t really absorb it. Plus the heat will evaporate most of the water anyways. Remember, even water under the surface of soil turns to gas as it heats up. Another reason to mulch your gardens.
*Note: You may still need to water seeds and small seedlings during the day to keep the thin layer of soil where the plant is working well moist. Consider mulching shallow rooted plants as well.