As a prolific producer of tender, tasty pods, Blue Lake bush beans are a favorite for home gardens. But knowing precisely when to pick those pods at their peak takes some finesse. Use this guide to identify the signs of harvest-ready Blue Lake beans and get the best yields from your plants.
Blue Lake Bush Bean Overview
Blue Lake bush beans are a prolific, early-maturing type that flourishes through summer heat The plants reach 16-24 inches tall and set pods concentrated near the base.
Some key traits:
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Pod color: Deep green
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Pod shape: Round, straight
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Texture: Stringless and tender
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Flavor: Full-bodied bean flavor
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Bush habit Upright not vining
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Days to maturity 50-60 days
Their concentrated harvest period and compact bush habit make them perfect for small garden spaces.
When Do Blue Lake Bush Beans Mature?
Blue Lake beans take 50-60 days from sowing seeds until the first harvest. However, individual plants mature over a 2-3 week window, so multiple pickings are possible.
Warm soil speeds development. With soil temperatures of 65°F or warmer, germination happens quickly, shortening days to maturity.
How Can You Tell When Blue Lake Beans Are Ready to Pick?
Monitor your plants closely as they near maturity and watch for these signs pods are ready for harvest:
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Pod size: 5-7 inches long
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Pod fill: Fully rounded shape with no indentations
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Color: Vibrant green with no yellowing
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Texture: Smooth and firm with small seeds visible through skin
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Snap test: Crisp, snappy when broken
Pods lacking these characteristics need a bit more time on the plant. Keep a close eye on crop progress daily as maturity nears.
What’s the Best Time of Day to Pick Blue Lake Beans?
For peak flavor and texture, harvest in the cool of the morning after any surface moisture has evaporated. Pods picked in midday heat may be damaged and lose moisture quickly.
Beans picked in the evening run the risk of absorbing excess moisture overnight. Morning harvesting balances freshness with pod storage quality.
How Should Blue Lake Beans Be Handled After Picking?
To maintain that just-picked garden flavor after harvest:
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Store pods in the refrigerator within an hour of picking.
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Keep beans in a Perforated plastic bag misted with cool water helps retain moisture.
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Wash and prep beans right before eating for maximum crispness.
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For longer storage, blanch then freeze beans within 4 hours of picking.
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Canned beans lose some texture but can be stored up to a year.
Quick chilling preserves the delicate sugars and texture of fresh Blue Lake beans.
What Are Signs You’ve Left Beans on the Plant Too Long?
It’s easy to miss the short harvest window. Overmature Blue Lake bean pods show these signs:
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Bulging beans inside pods
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Tough, stringy texture
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Fading green color
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Rounded end shape from swollen seeds
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Dry, mealy interior when cooked
Allowing too many pods to overripen can reduce yields, so check plants every 2-3 days once flowering starts.
How Long is the Harvest Window for Blue Lake Bush Beans?
Expect 1-3 weeks of harvests:
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First harvest: About 50 days after sowing
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Second harvest: 3-5 days after first picking
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Third harvest: 5-7 days later, depending on plant health
High temperatures shorten the harvest period while cool weather extends it. With care not to overpick, you can gather beans every few days for up to 3 weeks.
Can You Eat Blue Lake Bean Pods Raw?
While best cooked, young tender Blue Lake pods can certainly be consumed raw. The best stage for eating raw is when pods reach 3-4 inches long.
Gently snap off the tip and enjoy the crunchy texture and fresh flavor right in the garden. Beyond this tender stage, pods become fibrous and less appetizing raw.
Tips for Continuing the Harvest
Here are some tips to keep your Blue Lake plants producing:
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Avoid overpicking by leaving some younger pods at each harvest.
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Keep plants consistently watered after picking to encourage new blooms.
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Apply a nitrogen fertilizer boost after heavy pickings to drive regrowth.
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Pick beans every 2-3 days to prevent overmaturity.
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Monitor for pests or disease and remove damaged plants immediately.
With care, you can gather Blue Lake beans for up to 3 weeks for a hearty harvest from just a few plants!
Paying attention to signs of peak maturity ensures you harvest Blue Lake bush beans at the height of flavor. A bit of planning ensures you have beans ready for eating fresh or preserving over an extended harvest season. Time those picks right, and you’ll enjoy one of the tastiest crops from your summer vegetable garden!
BLUE LAKE BUSH BEANS HARVEST
FAQ
How to know when to pick blue lake bush beans?
What do beans look like when ready to harvest?
How long does it take to harvest Blue Lake beans?
If you damage the roots, it will affect the flowers and development of the beans. After planting your ‘Blue Lake’ beans, the days to harvest will be between six weeks and two months, or approximately 45 to 60 days. Because bush beans are determinate plants, most of the beans will be ready within a two-week period.
When should I plant Blue Lake bush beans?
In general, Blue Lake bush beans should be planted in early spring, once the soil has warmed up to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you live in a warm climate, you may be able to plant them as early as late winter. To determine the best time to plant Blue Lake bush beans in your area, you can consult the USDA planting zone map.
How to grow Blue Lake bush beans?
Throughout the growth timeline of Blue Lake bush beans, it is crucial to provide proper care, including regular watering, weed control, and adequate sunlight. This helps ensure healthy plant development and a bountiful harvest. High-quality bean seeds are essential if you want to grow Blue Lake bush beans in your garden.
When are Blue Lake bush beans ripe?
Blue Lake bush beans are ripe when the pods are plump and the beans inside are bright green. You can harvest the beans by snapping them off the vine. Blue Lake bush beans are ready to harvest when the pods are plump and the beans inside are bright green. You can harvest the beans by snapping them off the vine.