When to harvest and how to store green beans
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Ripening characteristics of different varieties
This heat-loving crop, named for its flavor reminiscent of young asparagus shoots, is not recommended for cultivation in Siberia and other regions with harsh climates. Germination requires temperatures above 10°C, and frost can destroy the fragile sprouts. In some regions, regular sugar beet varieties are grown in gardens, while in others, the long-podded cowpea variety, or "cowpea," is preferred.
To use your green beans for their intended purpose and stock up on asparagus beans for the winter, choose early- and mid-season varieties. Late-season varieties won't ripen in time. Gardeners can harvest early varieties in just 40–50 days from the time the seedlings emerge, and mid-season varieties in 70–80 days. The ripening period for late-ripening beans is at least 120–130 days.
When and how to harvest
When should you harvest your beans to get juicy, tender pods? It's best to harvest them two weeks after the first flowers appear and before the seeds form. Harvesting every couple of days prolongs fruiting and prevents the pods from becoming hard. In damp, cool weather, the beans develop more slowly, so harvest every 5–7 days.
It's best to harvest the pods in the morning. At this time, the pods still contain moisture from the night and haven't been dried out by the sun. For harvesting, use sharp pruning shears or scissors. Avoid removing the pods by hand, as this can damage the plant. The pods, suitable for eating or storing, are typically 10–20 cm long.
Long-term storage rules
Every gardener wants to preserve their harvest so they can enjoy their favorite vegetable throughout the winter. Beans are prized for their tender flesh. But even if they're stored in a cool cellar or refrigerator, they lose their nutritional value and their flavor after a week.
The harvest, laid out in a room with normal ventilation, dries out and becomes coarse after 2 weeks.
How do you store green beans properly? The best way is to place them in the freezer. Before freezing, dry the beans on a plate or tray. They will then be stored in the freezer. For easier storage, completely frozen vegetables are sorted into bags or special containers. Experienced home cooks often blanch the beans first and boil them in salted water for no more than 2 minutes. Stored in a suitable place, the beans retain their flavor for up to 6 months.
Video: "Preparing Beans for Winter"
This video will show you how to prepare beans for the winter.