Edamame Beans- When to harvest

I am growing Edamame Beans for the first time, and have some nice plants- The beans I buy to use are shelled and frozen. When do I harvest them and what do I do to them to use them?

Good question as I am growing them for the first time this year also. So far I have found by googling that one should pick them the minute you notice the bottom leaves turning yellow. I found this site as well followed by their recommendations for harvesting. I only wish now that I had sown more beans successively as it seems you have to pick the plant all at once and if you wait too long the beans become tough. New experience here! If that is a photo of your beans they look almost ready!

http://www.edamameseed.com/plantingguidelines.html

When to Harvest
Harvest edamame when the beans in the pod are 80-90% expanded or when the leaves have changed from bright green to a slight yellowish-green color. Handpick pods with at least two beans per pod and select pods which are only bright green in color. Avoid picking any yellowish or blemished pods. Wash pods to remove any soil. Pods can be refrigerated for up to 7-10 days or blanch them for 2-3 minutes in boiling water and freeze them in a single layer. After pods are frozen, store them in plastic bags in your freezer for later eating throughout the winter.

I harvested my soybeans over the weekend. The leaves were beginning to turn yellow, and the pods were "plump".

I steamed the pods for about eight minutes, then froze them.

When you want to eat them, let the pods defrost, then squeeze out the cooked beans. Reheat in the microwave, or eat cold.

Soybean "Green Pearls" sown May 10th - harvested July 16th - 67 days after sowing.

Yes, you do have to pull-up the whole plant.

Those harvest instructions are very confusing- first it says "harvestwhen thr pods have changed to a slight yellowish color" -then it says "avoid picking any yellowish pods" !

Jo, the instructions said to pick when the LEAVES have changed from bright green to a slight yellowish-green color, not the pods! Hope this helps!

Thanks, Honeybee, your personal experience was very helpful!!

OH- mia culpa! I read it wrong!!!

Don't microwave your veggies unless you want 75% of the nutrients removed which doesn't make any sense since that is one of the benefits of eating fresh veggies :)

urbanveggies412 - As with many controversal subjects, this one too, has two sides:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6463.cfm

http://www.ehow.com/about_5415255_nutritional-food-cooked-microwave-oven.html

Personally, I think microwaves are one of the best inventions of modern times. My hubby, on the other hand, avoids the microwave like the plague.

He has survived to be 79 next week, I was 67 last Monday!

Yea definitely a controversial subject. I think microwaving veggies makes them taste chewy and gross. That is just my opinion though. :)

urbanveggies412 - I have some Pyrex containers with glass lids. I put in fozen vegetables, sprinkle on a little salt, add a small amount of water, and cook them in the microwave. The addition of water prevents the veggies from becoming "chewy".

I don't like to reheat or cook food in plastic containers. (I guess we all have our "quirks") :)