[aqua]

when do you harvest them?

[Yorkie]

Do you want them fresh or dried?

Have you checked the seed packet?

[Hobnails]

I plant Borlotti Beans after clearing crops when I have no immediate use for the ground. I've just lifted overwintering onions and planted Borlottis which I'll clear in Autumn before manuring for next season. I plant them closer than recommended to to cover the ground.

Ypu can take the beans fresh at any time before the seeds develop and use theem as you would French Beans.

I leave mine until the beans dry on the plant - pods like brown paper- then harvest them before the frosts. They wife makes some imaginitive Winter soups and casseroles using them.
I leave the plants to wither and dig them in with manure in the Autumn ready for next Spring.

[aqua]

they are so pretty. i have just started getting the pods. they look like spotty runner beans at the minute. wasn't sure if you ate them like this or ate the beans.

[aqua]

i will try some of both. they looked nice on the packet which is why i bought them.

I have been really stupid about these for some reason. I am used to all sorts of veg but not these.

didn't realise they climbed until it was obvious that they did. the flowers are very pretty too.

[Yorkie]

You can get dwarf and climbing varieties - I've been caught out by that one ...

You might find them a bit tough fresh - not sure whether it's better to pod them even if eaten fresh.

[shokkyy]

I'm doing these this year for the first time, and I've been wondering about harvest. I want them dried, but if I leave them on the plant to dry won't that make the plants stop cropping?

[mumofstig]

you have to leave them on the plant till they are mature, if you are going to dry them.
This in itself will slow down bean production, I don't think there is a way around it 

[LottieSue]

If you are going to use them as french beans I would pick them pretty small as suggested. As all my climbing beans got in a bit of a muddle last year I picked some borlotti thinking they were Blue Lake french beans. This year they have been segregated by my Runners!
Also - not trusting my abilities to dry things properly (without them going mouldy) I waited until the borlotti beans were quite big in the pods, and then blanched and froze them.
They have been very tasty in casseroles - and don't take very long to cook. I assume dried beans take more time.

[aqua]

well the good news is they are not with my other climbing beans. I will i think let them mature. I have after all got broad beans,runner beans, french beans and french climbing beans to munch though during the summer.

i don't feel quite as much of an idiot now. thank you.