How To Harvest Broad Beans

Step 1: When to harvest

Broad beans can be harvested from early summer onwards. They can be picked throughout this season, but most people will have picked all of theirs by around mid-summer.

Wait until a pod is approximately 15cm (6in) in length, and it is firm and crisp. You will probably find yourself harvesting once or twice a week, so keep checking the plants for pods that have reached the appropriate size.

Make sure that the scar on the pod is white or green, never black, as this indicates rot.

Step 2: Harvesting

To harvest the beans, simply twist them gently from the stem. Be careful not to break the stems as they are often brittle. You can take as many pods as required in one go.

Try to pick the beans when the plants are dry, as harvesting from wet plants can increase the risk of spreading bacterial bean blight.

The plant will form new flowers and produce more beans if pods are continually removed before the seeds mature.

Step 3: Storage

Broad beans can be refridgerated in their pods for a couple of days, but they should be eaten fresh for the best flavour.

They can also be frozen after shelling, and then blanched.

Done