scarlet runner bean

How do I tell when the seed pods are ready to harvest for seeds. Are the like garden peas and have to wait tell the pod turns brown?

Good question! I've got a 'Painted Lady' plant with a couple of big pods, but we had frost here so I don't know how much more maturing the seeds will get to do. The seeds do feel hard inside their pods. Baa put a photo in PF (http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/8057/) of a runner bean pod that's still green and labeled it "ready for picking." I just hate opening a pod and discovering that I should've waited longer for seeds to mature!

You mentioned needing to wait for garden pea pods to brown... is that true for beans also? I was trying to let some bean plants mature their seeds, but they got hit by the same frost and aren't looking too good. Hmmm, maybe I'd better just open a likely looking pod and see what's up with them.

I opened a pod on mine yesterday and the beans inside were a pale purlple color and kind of soft , so I am sure they need more time. The pod was about six inches long and looked full, still green though.

I figure there's no harm in letting them stay on longer, as I don't think cold is going to hurt them, so I think I'll wait to pick mine until the whole pod looks dry. Thanks!

I saved scarlet runner bean seeds last year. I waited until the pods turned tan and dry before I picked them. Most of them sprouted.

If the weather turns frosty or wet before the beans have turned brown I cut off the stem with the beans on and hang them up inside to dry off completely. If they are very wet the pods sometimes start going mouldy so I shell them out and can usually save some viable seeds that way, then carry on drying the seeds as usual.

Thanks, Pat! I managed to harvest 2 brown beans from a small pod this morning... The larger pod (the plant only made 2) looked like it needed a few more days, so it may have to be rescued as you suggested before the next frost!