Legumes: Beans & Peas
The easiest seeds to save! Let pods dry on the vine and shell out the seeds.
Overview
Beans and peas are the perfect beginner seed-saving crops. They're self-pollinating and seeds are ready when pods dry on the vine - just shell them out! No special processing required. This is as simple as seed saving gets.
Crops Covered:
self-pollinated
dry processing
Usually dry on vine; 1-2 weeks additional if harvested early
Beans: 3-4 years
Understanding Pollination
Beans and peas self-pollinate before flowers open. Cross-pollination is rare but possible.
Isolation Distance
10-20 feet for home gardens
Key Tips:
- Self-pollinating before flower opens
- Different varieties can be grown close together
- Occasional bee visits may cause some crossing
- For absolute purity, grow 20+ feet apart
Step-by-Step Guide
Identify your best plants early in the season.
- Look for vigorous, productive, disease-free plants
- Mark plants with string or stake
- Consider all traits: vigor, yield, pod quality, flavor
- Don't harvest eating pods from seed-saving plants
Leave pods to mature and dry completely on the plant.
- Stop harvesting pods from designated seed plants
- Pods will yellow, then brown, then dry
- Seeds will rattle inside dry pods
- Wait until pods are completely dry and crispy
- In wet climates, pull whole plants and hang to dry under cover
Pick pods or pull entire plants when fully dry.
- Harvest on a dry day
- Pods should be papery and brown
- Seeds should be hard and rattle inside
- If rain threatens, harvest and finish drying indoors
Remove seeds from pods and clean off debris.
- Shell by hand or thresh in pillowcase
- Winnow to remove chaff (pour between containers in breeze)
- Remove any damaged or discolored seeds
- Seeds should be completely hard
Harvest Timing
| Crop | Harvest Stage | Days After Flowering |
|---|---|---|
| Bush Beans | Pods dry and brown, seeds rattle | 35-45 days |
| Pole Beans | Pods papery and brown | 35-50 days |
| Peas | Pods completely dry on vine | 30-40 days |
| Lima Beans | Pods yellow-brown and dry | 60-90 days |
| Fava Beans | Pods black and leathery | 40-50 days |
Processing: Dry Method
Legume seeds are dry-processed - simply let pods dry on the vine and shell out seeds.
- 1Let pods dry completely on vine
- 2Harvest when pods are papery and seeds rattle
- 3Shell by hand or thresh in bag
- 4Winnow to remove chaff
- 5Further dry if needed
Drying & Storage
Usually dry on vine; 1-2 weeks additional if harvested early
Any dry location with good airflow. Can dry in paper bags.
Test for Dryness: Seeds should be very hard. Bite test: should not dent when bitten.
Glass jars, Paper envelopes, Cloth bags
Cool, dark, dry. Freezing for 48 hours kills bean weevils.
Beans: 3-4 years, Peas: 2-3 years
- Freeze for 48 hours to kill bean weevils
- Let return to room temp before opening
- Check stored beans for weevil damage
- Peas have shorter viability than beans