Green beans ready for picking?

[pepper4]

I grew blue lake bush beans and are growing quite a few beans. How do you know when they are ready to pick? Thanks!

[jal_ut]

For green beans, pick them when they are about as big as a pencil. You want to get them when the little beans inside the pods are 1/4 inch or less in length. If you let them go longer, the pods lose their nice crisp texture. OTOH if you pick them too small, they don't have much body or flavor.

Have a great harvest!

[zone9garden.com]

I agree... the thickness of a pencil is a good guide. One think I have experienced is a few beans always seem to mature much faster than the rest so I let them grow for seed for the next season!

[cynthia_h]

I've always "tested" my green beans by picking one single pod and eating it right there in the garden/growing area. If it tastes good, then I go ahead and gather the others of similar size and appearance, leaving the smaller ones to grow a little more.

It's not scientific, but it *is* data-based!

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[2cents]

Cynthia,
I call that a snack, but usually eat 2 or 3.
Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm

[zone9garden.com]

Snacking in the garden is always a ton of fun! I enjoy it greatly!