How To Harvest Dry Beans

You can harvest dry beans when the pods have fully matured and dried on the plant.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to harvest dry beans, the good news is that it’s one of the easiest garden tasks you’ll ever do.
 
Knowing how to harvest dry beans properly means you’ll get beans that store well for months and taste amazing in soups, stews, and chili.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to harvest dry beans, when to harvest dry beans, and how to store dry beans so they last.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

When to Harvest Dry Beans

The first step in how to harvest dry beans is knowing when they’re ready.
 
Timing is everything, and if you pick too early, your beans won’t store well.
 
Here’s how to tell when it’s time to harvest dry beans:
 

1. Pods Are Dry and Brown

When you harvest dry beans, the pods should be completely dry, brown, and starting to wrinkle.
 
If the pods are still green or leathery, the beans inside haven’t finished maturing.
 
You want them to rattle when you shake them, which means the beans are loose inside.
 

2. Leaves Have Died Back

Another sign that it’s time to harvest dry beans is when the leaves on your plants have turned yellow and dropped off.
 
This means the plant has finished its life cycle and sent all its energy into the beans.
 
Once the foliage is done, you know you can start to harvest dry beans.
 

3. Weather Matters

If rain is in the forecast, you may want to harvest dry beans a little early.
 
Too much moisture can cause mold or rot before you even get a chance to harvest dry beans.
 
So keep an eye on the sky as you prepare to harvest dry beans.
 

How to Harvest Dry Beans Step by Step

Now that you know when to harvest dry beans, let’s talk about how to harvest dry beans the right way.
 

1. Pull or Cut the Plants

To harvest dry beans, you can either pull the entire plant up by the roots or cut it at the base.
 
Pulling the whole plant is often easier because you can hang it upside down to finish drying.
 
This method works great when you harvest dry beans in bulk.
 

2. Let Them Dry Further

After you harvest dry beans, hang the plants in a dry, well-ventilated area for one to two weeks.
 
This ensures the beans are completely dry before you shell them.
 
If you harvest dry beans before they’re fully dry, they’ll mold in storage.
 

3. Shell the Pods

Once everything is dry, it’s time to shell the pods.
 
You can do this by hand, which is great for small batches when you harvest dry beans.
 
For larger amounts, try putting the pods in a pillowcase and gently stepping on them.
 
Either way, you’ll end up with clean beans after you harvest dry beans.
 

4. Winnow Away Chaff

After you harvest dry beans and shell them, you’ll have some chaff mixed in.
 
Pour the beans from one bowl to another in front of a fan to blow the chaff away.
 
This final step makes sure your beans are clean after you harvest dry beans.
 

How to Store Dry Beans After You Harvest Them

Once you harvest dry beans, proper storage is key.
 

1. Use Airtight Containers

After you harvest dry beans, store them in glass jars or airtight containers.
 
This keeps moisture and pests out so your beans stay fresh.
 

2. Keep Them Cool and Dark

Store your beans in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cellar.
 
If you harvest dry beans and store them properly, they’ll last for years.
 

3. Label and Date

Always label your jars with the date you harvest dry beans.
 
This helps you rotate your stock and use the oldest beans first.
 

So, How Do You Harvest Dry Beans?

You harvest dry beans by waiting until the pods are fully dry and brown on the plant.
 
Then you pull or cut the plants, let them dry further, shell the pods, and winnow away the chaff.
 
Finally, you store your beans in airtight containers in a cool, dark place.
 
Now that you know how to harvest dry beans, you’ll never have to buy them from the store again.
 
Hope this post has helped you with learning how to harvest dry beans and the best ways to store them.