[Robert_S]

Morning all 

My dwarf French beans seem to be pretty much at an end now...that last few pickings have all been small curly ones, some of which are a bit tough, and the ones I leave then start to swell before growing much longer. Quite a few are just drying up after getting to a certain size (even though the ground is not dry). I gave them a liquid feed a week or two ago just to see if that would help. Is it worth hoping for anything else from them now, or should I just admit they've given their all now?

The second part of the question is, what should I do with them afterwards? I know to leave the roots in to improve the soil, but should I compost the tops or just dig those in too?

[Robert_S]

I found this on a site about green manures:

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/pdfs/international_programme/GreenMan.pdf

[second paragraph]

Think I will compost them then.

edited to replace text with url link for copyright reasons

[Stevens706]

I just pull up the plants roots and all and compost after removing any of the bean pods I want to keep the seed from for next year.

[Trillium]

I'm more optimistic in my approach. I snap off the above ground pieces for compost and leave the roots. The latter won't compost much over winter, but the nitrogen nodules will benefit the next crop that goes there. Every bit helps.

[sunshineband]

Like Trillium, I cut mine off and ground level (done it already ) and then hang the plants upside down in the shed until the pods are raelly crips and dry before taking the beans out.