[captainhastings]

I plan to harvest these and dry for stews etc I think they are then haricot beans ? At what point do I pick them to dry or do I just leave them on the stems for the plants to wither but with the coming winter will they dry like that  ?

[Amilo]

I don't know for sure but I suspect that you leave them on the plant until they are drying naturally then harvest them.

[mumofstig]

That's right, but if the pods look as if they've started to ripen and the weather stays wet, then lift the whole plant and hang upside down to dry in the shed. Put a cardboard box or something underneath to catch any beans that drop out 

[SusieB]

If you have 'catch-up' TV, I think this was on Gardener's World last Friday.  You leave them on the plant till the pods are dried to crisp and brown.  Useful tip about the rain.

[captainhastings]

Thanks for the info every one. I also watched Gardener's World which cleared it up as well