[Robin Redbreast]

when is the best time to harvest runner beans can an assumption be made on size? as i was recently given some that were a tad stringy can hard skins and stringiness be avoided by picking younger stems or will this always happen?

[compostqueen]

pick them young and tender rather than leave em til they're old and leathery  

[Robin Redbreast]

when they are a little older then will they make good seeds for next year? :shock:

[compostqueen]

yes I think so but I've never saved seed myself so don't quote me     I'm growing some Italian pole beans which I chose as it said they were "meaty and stringless"

[Bombers]

when they are a little older then will they make good seeds for next year? :shock:

Ohhhh. yasss...... (Famous t.v. advert)
I do it every year! :shock:  :shock:  :shock:  Just leave em on the plant to mature. The pods will 'yellow' and the beans will swell. Harvest when mature and store in a cool dry place.

[Robin Redbreast]

ok thanks i love runner beans basted in butter and salt and pepper so next year will be having a large array of runners!