Runner beans are a valued crop for any garden, Their vigorous vines produce an abundant harvest of tasty pods that can be eaten fresh or left to mature into large seeds that are perfect for drying and storing Learning how to properly dry and store runner bean seeds ensures you’ll have a bountiful crop the following year
When to Harvest Runner Beans for Drying
The key to successfully drying runner beans is harvesting at just the right time. Here’s what to look for
-
Stop watering the plants in early fall This signals the plant to start directing energy into the seeds, The pods will start to bulge with the enlarging seeds,
-
Allow the pods to remain on the vines as long as possible. Wait until the leaves start to yellow and die back before harvesting.
-
Pick the pods when they are completely mature. The pods should be tan, dry and papery. Immature pods won’t produce viable seeds.
-
If heavy rain or frost threatens before the pods are fully dry, pick and move them indoors to finish drying.
-
When harvesting, select the largest, fullest pods for saving seeds. Smaller pods can be used for eating fresh.
Drying Methods for Runner Beans
You have a couple options for drying the mature runner bean pods:
-
Air dry naturally: In hot, arid climates, runner bean pods can simply be left to dry completely on the vines. Check them periodically and pick once shriveled and brittle.
-
Dry indoors: In cool, humid climates the pods won’t dry well outdoors once picked. Bring them inside and dry in a warm, well-ventilated area. Spread pods in a single layer on trays or racks. Stir and turn the beans every few days to ensure even drying.
-
Use a dehydrator: A food dehydrator with an adjustable thermostat provides ideal conditions for drying beans quickly and evenly. Airflow and temperatures of 95-115°F work best.
-
Oven dry: Spread pods in a single layer on baking trays. Heat the oven to 120°F and prop the door open slightly. Stir the beans every 30 minutes until completely dry and brittle.
Shelling and Storing Dried Beans
Once the bean pods are crisp and brittle, the seeds inside should be fully dry. To shell:
-
Hold the pod vertically and pop it open by running a finger down the seam.
-
Remove the seeds and place in a container. Discard any that are discolored or damaged.
-
Allow the shelled seeds to sit for a week or two longer to fully dry and cure. Stir and turn them periodically during this time.
To store:
-
Place dried beans in airtight glass jars or zip-close bags. Press out excess air.
-
Store in a cool, dark place like the pantry or refrigerator. Adding a desiccant packet helps absorb moisture.
-
Label with the variety and year harvested. Stored properly, beans remain viable for 3-4 years.
Cooking and Eating Dried Runner Beans
While fresh runner beans are eaten in the pod, dried beans must be rehydrated before cooking and eating.
-
Soak beans overnight or for at least 8 hours before cooking. Discard any that float.
-
Simmer beans in water for 1-2 hours until soft. Don’t add salt until they are nearly done, as it can toughen the skins.
-
Beans can be used in soups, stews, casseroles, sautés and more. Their large size holds its shape when cooked.
With proper harvesting, drying and storage techniques, the bounty of runner beans from your summer garden can provide nutritious seeds for next year’s crop and beyond. Enjoy their versatile flavor all year long.
The techniques of drying
You can grow beans just to get shelled beans, or you can grow beans to get both green pods and shelled beans, which is more useful.
When the plants start to produce, pick the young pods regularly as usual to eat as a green vegetable. Around the middle of August, you can choose how many plants you want to use to grow your shelled beans. The point is that the flower-making system stops working when the seeds in the pods are fully grown, so no more pods will form. Take only a few of the early green pods if you want to grow mostly beans to dry.
So for shelled beans simply let the pods develop, not forgetting to feed and water. Flageolets are the young green seeds that can be shelled out and cooked like peas. Some catalogs sell varieties that are especially good for this.
To dry beans for storage it’s preferable to let the pods dry out in place on the plant. During the fall, the skins turn brown and crack. When the pods start to split, it’s time to pick them and shell them. Keep a close eye on the crop at this stage as the beans may spill onto the ground.
You can pull up whole plants and hang them up in a shed to dry if the pods aren’t dry by the end of October and the weather stays wet, or you can pick the pods in bunches and spread them out on cardboard fruit boxes in a dry, warm place. If you dry beans inside in boxes, mold and rot are always a possibility, so check on them often and throw away any that get soft and wet. A through flow of air assists drying, whichever drying method is used.
The same steps are taken with both broad beans and peas, but the green pods of peas are not eaten; instead, the whole crop is left to dry. You will have to decide for yourself if it is worth it to grow peas to dry. Most of the time, there is just enough of a crop to serve fresh green peas in the summer.
The shelled beans should feel very hard when you touch them before you store them. If they don’t, spread them out on cardboard fruit boxes and keep them in a warm, dry place for a few more weeks. Drying in the sun or an oven is not recommended.
Store the produce in a dry place in paper bags or cardboard boxes. It’s important to check for mold growth every so often and get rid of any that you find. Mould indicates incomplete drying or damp storage.
As mentioned, the green flageolets can be cooked like fresh peas. Home-grown dried beans will usually require less cooking time than shop-bought ones, so some experimentation will be needed. Soak them in a lot of cold water for at least eight hours. Then, drain the water and add new water to the soak. Natural toxins may be present, so boil them well for at least ten minutes. This goes for store-bought ones too. Then, simmer them until they are cooked.
Test the beans often during cooking and when they are soft to bite, then they’re done. The degree of dryness will affect the cooking time. No matter what the catalogs say, the differences in taste between the different types are just a matter of taste: some people like one type better than another.
If you are in doubt about the suitability of any produce for the table, then don’t use it. Seek advice if need be.
To bean or not to bean
It’s easy to grow many types of beans, like French beans, runner beans, pole beans, and more, using vegan organic methods. These plants produce a lot of fresh green pods. What people don’t always realize is that they can also give you a lot of tasty, healthy shelled beans that you can eat fresh or store dried and use in many traditional winter recipes. Broad beans and peas can also be dried using the same methods.
The information in this article is mostly about the UK, but it could also be used in other parts of the world with some changes.
Runner beans at Hardwicke. Photo: Stephane Groleau
We are not going to go into too much detail about the actual cultivation methods but some basic points are worth making; if you are unfamiliar with growing beans then consult a good handbook.
To grow your plant vegan-organically, all you need is good soil that has been worked with a lot of vegetable matter, lots of water, and plant food every once in a while. Beans do need fertile soil that has been dug well if it’s heavy, but they won’t need a lot of compost every year as long as the roots have plenty of water.
It’s best to start the plants in small pots and move them to the ground when the soil warms up, which should happen around early June. Once the plants are growing well, mulching will help. If you are planting directly into the ground, make sure the soil is warm. Runners will not grow in cool soil. Runners are usually grown from seeds, but they are not annuals. At the end of the season, the roots can be carefully lifted and stored in a cool, dry place over the winter. When the risk of frost has passed, the roots can be replanted and the plants will grow again.
Beans are usually rotated with other crops, but many people grow runners in the same spot year after year. One problem this might encourage is anthracnose, which is a form of rot. Runners’ roots and maybe the roots of other varieties make an enzyme that helps plants grow, so using the same spot every year may be best. You can choose to rotate them or not, though.
Drying and Storing Garden Beans
FAQ
How do you dry beans after harvesting?
How do you dry beans off the vine?
How do you dry beans naturally?
How to dry runner beans?
The method for drying runner beans detailed below is based on using an oven but since the price of dehydrators has fallen you would be better using that. In warm areas of the world, solar dryers are very effective. Wash, top and tail and string French or runner beans.
Can you freeze refried beans?
Freezing refried beans is a simple and practical solution for dealing with leftovers. You can reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.
How do you dry chocolate runner beans?
Taking a quick peek inside the beans early in the drying process. The chocolate runner beans are beautiful. Ranging from purple, brown to white shades, they all taste the same and produce the same plant with heart-shaped red and pinkish white flowers. So cool, isn’t it? Just like eggs! To dry beans, you will need to wait until the seed pods dry.
Do runner beans need to be soaked?
Soaking shortens the cooking time. After soaking, place the runner beans in a pot of fresh water. Heat the water to boiling. Simmer the beans about 45 to 60 minutes or until they are soft. Season the beans any way you wish and use them in chili or rice medleys, soups or Mexican dishes.
Can you freeze dried runner beans?
You can freeze cooked dried runner beans. Package the cooked, cooled beans in 1-cup or 2-cup quantities and label them with the date and the quantity. Simply thaw the beans, and they are ready to use in your favorite dishes. Pick and wash the bean pods.
Can Scarlet Runner beans be dried?
Scarlet runner beans can be dried easily, and the process is fairly straightforward. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you dry your scarlet runner beans: 1. Allow the beans to fully mature on the vine. Harvesting the beans too early may result in immature seeds that won’t dry properly.