The Clear Sign That Your Green Bean Plants Are Ready To Harvest

Green beans are a favorite of the summer garden, and one of the easiest types of bean plant to grow. Since every gardener, experienced or beginner, wants to get the most out of their hard work, it's tempting to let the pods get as big as possible before picking them. But when you pick green beans too late, the texture of the pods is fibrous and their flavor less pleasant. Pick them too early, and you won't be maximizing your harvest. If you're wondering how to know for sure whether your beans are ready or not, there's a clear sign you can look for: a snap.

Try bending a pod — if it snaps in half easily, it's ready to harvest. That tell-tale snap happens to be the reason why this food crop is sometimes called snap beans. Before testing the snap of a green bean, it's helpful to know the estimated harvest date (in case you have a summer vacation planned). Green beans are a popular veggie you should grow from seed for a better harvest. Your estimate of when they will be ready will be based on the date you sowed those seeds. The earliest maturing varieties will be ready to pick between 45 and 60 days from that date. Aim to do the snap test around that time.

In addition to the sound of a snap, there are other signs gardeners should use to decide when to harvest green beans. Once the green bean plants start to flower, you can expect the pods to be ready to pick within one to three weeks, depending on the cultivar. The diameter of a pod can also be important. If you're growing French filet beans, for example, harvest them when they measure about a quarter inch across. If the timing is right or the diameter matches the cultivar recommendations, it's time to try the snap test.

Once the pods start to bulge, it is a clear sign that the seeds inside are developing. For best eating, pick snap beans when they are still immature, before they display that telling bulge. Otherwise, the pods will lose their tenderness. Wondering how to store this crop after harvest? Wash any soil off them and store them somewhere cool and dry. They'll last several days if you don't plan to eat them right away. If you miss the ideal harvest window and the pods get too big or the seeds develop, you can always allow them to finish maturing. Then harvest and save the green bean seeds to plant for next year. Also, avoid harvesting pods in the early morning when dew is covering the garden or directly after watering. The green bean seeds will keep longer and germinate better if they aren't wet.