Green beans, also known as string beans, snap beans, or just “green beans,” are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in the summer vegetable garden. You can grow them in pole or bush forms. I can help you if you’ve been growing green beans in your garden but don’t know when to pick them.
There are different planting times for green beans depending on where you live, so how do you know when to harvest? There are certain signs to look for to make sure it’s time to harvest. Find out when to harvest your green beans for tender and not stringy and tough pods!.
If you’ve never grown pole beans or bush beans before, don’t worry! I have a few full guides on how to grow green bean 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. Also, don’t throw away those big zucchinis—they’re great in many recipes—just check out my post Recipes for Large Zucchini!
As a child, I still find those weird, huge pumpkins and other vegetables to be interesting to look at. But the truth is that most big vegetables aren’t very good to eat. Some vegetables get tougher as they get bigger. Plus, who wants to chew on a green bean or okra piece for a long time? Not me.
Most of the vegetables in your summer garden should be young and tender. The bush or pole beans you’ve been growing are no different. Once you notice those tiny beans appearing, keep your eye on them. They grow quickly and can soon become too big.
This post might have affiliate links, which just means that I might get paid a small fee for linking to other sites. Thank you for supporting my site!.
String beans, also known as snap beans or green beans are a rewarding vegetable to grow. With proper harvesting techniques, you can enjoy their signature crunchy texture and sweet flavor through the season. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn when and how to harvest string beans.
When Are String Beans Ready to Pick?
Timing is everything when it comes to harvesting string beans at peak ripeness. Here are the signs that your beans are ready for picking:
- Beans are firm and crisp, not limp.
- Pods snap easily when bent.
- Beans are sized as thick as a pencil or your pointer finger.
- Seeds inside pods are barely visible as small bumps.
- Beans are bright green; yellowing indicates over-ripeness.
- Plants have started flowering and setting pods.
For bush bean varieties, begin checking for harvest readiness around 50-60 days after planting Pole beans take a little longer, around 60-70 days on average
Once plants start producing, pick beans every 1-2 days to encourage more pod set. Mature, oversize pods signal to the plant that its life cycle is complete.
How to Harvest Beans for Continual Production
Follow these steps for harvesting green beans in a way that maintains plant health:
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Pick beans in the morning after any surface moisture has evaporated.
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Grasp the bean pod in one hand and the stem in the other
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Pull firmly to separate the bean from the vine.
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Avoid yanking or twisting pods, which can damage plants.
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Use scissors or pruners to cut beans if necessary to avoid plant injury.
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Check plants thoroughly and harvest every couple days.
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Remove any leftover beans or yellowing pods to promote new growth.
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Add harvested beans to your harvest basket or container.
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Sort through beans after picking to compost any overly mature or damaged pods.
Repeated harvesting encourages your string bean plants to continue flowering and producing more beans throughout the season.
Harvesting Pole Beans
Pole bean varieties grow on trellises or other supports, climbing up to 10 feet high in some cases. Follow these tips when picking pole beans:
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Use a small stepladder for reaching top pods. Take care not to damage the plant structure when climbing.
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Cut rather than pull beans that grow near vine supports to avoid uprooting the plant.
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Check support strings/cables periodically and retie or tighten as needed to avoid damage to vines.
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Pole beans generally produce beans over a longer harvest window than bush types. Expect to pick pole beans for 6-8 weeks.
When Does the String Bean Harvest End?
You can continue harvesting beans until the first frost spells the end of the growing season. Pole beans in particular will keep producing until cold temperatures hit.
Signs that the bean harvest is over:
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Plants are killed off by temperatures dipping below 40°F.
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Pods are lumpy or misshapen instead of straight.
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Beans develop spots, discoloration, or rust patches.
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Vines start to wither and die back.
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Production slows down or stops completely.
Make sure to do a final harvest before the first frost to gather any last ripe beans.
Storing Freshly Picked String Beans
Beans start losing flavor and nutrition soon after picking, so plan to use or preserve them quickly:
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Store unwashed beans in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer.
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Keep beans between 40-50°F for best quality.
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Use within 5-7 days of harvest.
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Wash and trim just before cooking or processing.
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Consider canning, freezing, or pickling excess beans.
Trim ends, blanch briefly, and freeze beans in portioned bags for lasting enjoyment of your harvest.
Common Harvesting Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls when picking green beans for top quality:
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Harvesting too early, before beans have filled out. Wait for signs of maturity.
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Picking too late, when seeds have swollen and pods start bulging. Check often for peak ripeness.
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Letting beans get too large. They become tough and lose flavor.
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Bruising or breaking vines and branches when picking. Handle plant gently.
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Allowing pods to fully mature. Pick regularly to encourage more production.
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Not getting the entire harvest. Search plants thoroughly for ready beans.
With the right techniques and consistent harvesting, your string bean plants will produce prolifically. Incorporate beans into your meal prep right after picking to enjoy garden-fresh flavor and crunch.
Top Varieties for Continuous Harvesting
Some string bean varieties yield higher and produce for longer than others. These top picks provide a prolonged harvest:
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Provider – Reliable standard green bean. Heavy yields on bush plants.
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Kentucky Wonder – Prolific heirloom pole bean. Produces until frost.
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Rattlesnake – Vibrant heirloom with purple streaks. Yields all season on vines.
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Contender – Early and concentrated harvest on compact bush plants.
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Fortex – French filet-type bush bean. Gourmet flavor and texture.
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Blue Lake – Traditional variety with sturdy vines and consistent yield.
Creative Ways to Use Your String Bean Harvest
Beyond using beans in typical salads, side dishes, and casseroles, get creative with your green bean haul:
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Pickle whole pods or sliced beans.
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Saute with garlic, chili flakes, and lemon.
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Blanch briefly and freeze beans to enjoy year-round.
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Puree beans into a creamy soup or dip.
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Roast beans tossed in oil, spices, and parmesan.
With a productive bean patch and proper picking technique, your family can enjoy the versatility of string beans for months on end.
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:
- First, take hold of the bean’s stem and look at how it connects to the main vine.
- Cut the bean off at the stem, or cut the stem off the plant with a sharp pair of pruners.
- Make sure you don’t hurt the whole plant or vine by pulling too hard on the bean before it’s really broken off. This could make the bush or vine fall off the trellis or even pull up from the ground.
Now, let’s talk about good containers for picking green beans and how to keep them fresh after farming.
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. You can find this information on the back of seed packets or plant tags if you bought seedlings.
Always use this as your first source of information about when the beans you grew were ready to be picked. Here are the signs to look for to know if the beans you’ve grown are ready:
- You want beans that are full but not too fat and feel firm when you touch them. (Skip the skinny ones that feel flat. ) .
- If the bean seeds inside are bulging and the bean has become stringy, don’t wait too long to pick it.
- Avert beans with black spots or other signs of sickness.
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
When and How to Harvest Green Beans (Bush Beans, and Pole Beans)
FAQ
How do I know when green beans are ready to pick?
How do you harvest and store string beans?
What do you do with green beans after you pick them?
How to harvest 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.
How do you harvest a bean?
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.
How often should you Harvest string beans?
String beans are known for their prolific production, and frequent harvesting encourages continuous pod development. Regularly picking mature beans stimulates the plant to produce more, extending the harvest period. Harvest every two to three days to ensure you gather beans at their peak.
When to pick string beans?
When to Pick String Beans: Harvest string beans when they are firm, smooth, and about 4 to 6 inches long. Check for vibrant color, perform the snap test, and consider factors like flowering stage and weather conditions. Frequent harvesting and monitoring for pests and diseases contribute to a successful harvest.