[Steveharford]

Hi. I picked some runners yesterday but didnt use them but decided to slice them and put them in a pan of water for tonight.so far they have boiled for 40 mins and they havent softened a bit! How come?

[snow white]

They were either too old when you picked them or you had not watered enough.  Pick them as they start to fill out. Don't let them get too big.   And if dry, water well once a week.

[Steveharford]

Thanks snow but I never let them get too old before picking. I cooked some of the same batch on the day of picking and they were great. It must be something to do with leaving them in water for so long.  I think.....
oh and my watering regime is good.

[snow white]

Then I am stumped.  If I am going to keep beans I first wash them in cold water then put them wet in a plastic bag in the fridge.  They normally stay good for a few days,  other than that I can't help you.  Sorry.

[GrannieAnnie]

If I'm not going to use them straight away, I don't wash them, they have enough water.  I put them in a plastic bag with a piece of kitchen towel.  They stay fresher for longer, as does most things, celery, cucumber, carrots, parsnips.

[jaydig]

My mum used to wrap them in damp newspaper inside a plastic bag, and put them in the fridge. They keep for quite a few days like this.

[bravemurphy]

Off topic a bit but this is another reason for me to have  planted lots of Cobra French beans this year.

I find them a lot nicer than runners and a lot more user friendly with just having to top them and bang them in the pan.