After just ten weeks the time has come – the first vitamin-rich runner beans are ripe and can be harvested by hand. The long, narrow to round pods have reached a length of 10 to 28 centimeters and taste best as fresh green beans. But please only cooked!
When and how should you harvest runner beans?
Runner beans are ready to harvest after about ten weeks. The sleeves should be 10 to 28 centimeters long and break smoothly when bent. Harvest the beans carefully with your hands, avoiding crushing the pods. Harvesting in wet conditions should be avoided.
Quick Runner Beans
If you sow or plant your runner beans from mid-May onwards, you can expect your first harvest from the end of July. Reseeding is also possible until the end of July, so that fresh runner beans can be harvested until October.
Now they are ripe
You can tell when your runner beans are ripe by looking at the pods. The germs should not push through the shell yet and the pods should break through smoothly when bent.
How to harvest
- Pick runner beans carefully with your hands on the thin stalk
- one hand holds the tendril tightly so that it is not accidentally torn off
- If possible, avoid crushing the pods as this reduces their shelf life
- prepare damaged pods immediately
- It is also possible to carefully cut it off with a sharp knife
Harvesting tips
- Never harvest runner beans when it is wet, as pathogens can spread more easily
- Pick runner beans every 2-4 days, then the plant will bear longer
How to store successfully
Beans are best eaten fresh, but never raw. The toxins in the beans are only broken down by cooking.
Beans can be stored in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for a few days. Beans can be kept for a few months by boiling and freezing.
Harvesting the Seeds
If you want to get bean seeds, you let some of your pods fully ripen. First, dry the pods by hanging them up. Then remove the seeds and let them dry next to each other.
Tips & Tricks
The runner beans are growing over your head? Then try the “Rakker” variety. It grows to a maximum height of 2 meters and you can easily reach anywhere when harvesting.
