With their stunning scarlet blooms, scarlet runner beans are a real showstopper in any backyard garden. But they’re more than just a pretty face! Those edible flowers eventually turn into nutritious beans that you can dry and store for a long time. If you want to know the best way to harvest and preserve them, you’re in the right place.
Timing Your Harvest
When it comes to scarlet runner beans, you’ve got options. You can pick the young pods early and cook them up like green beans, or you can let them fully mature. If you’re looking to dry them for long-term storage, you’ll want to wait until they reach their full size.
The first pods usually start ripening in early July. However, for drying, you should leave them on the vine until they are plump and the pods start to feel a bit shriveled. You’ll notice the color shifting from vibrant green to a yellowish-brown. If the weather stays dry, you can actually let them dry right on the plant! Once you bring them in, they’ll only need a few more days to finish curing.
Go ahead and harvest the pods by hand or with a pair of garden snips, then pop the beans out of their shells.
How to Dry Your Runner Beans
The best part? Drying runner beans is incredibly easy and doesn’t require any fancy equipment. Just follow these simple steps:
- Find a spot in a warm, dark, and dry room.
- Avoid the bathroom or kitchen, as these rooms tend to be too humid.
- A bedroom, dry basement, attic, or even a garden shed works perfectly.
- Spread the beans out in a single layer on some paper or a baking sheet.
- Let them air-dry for about two weeks.
If you prefer, you can also dry your beans outdoors in the sun. Just make sure they aren’t sitting in the scorching midday heat, and give them a little toss twice a day to ensure they dry evenly.
