[cc]

Not sure when to pick. Want the beans only. Should I wait till they start to wither or something like that!?
Thank you

[Nobbie]

I leave them until the pods are very leathery and the beans have lost any greenness. Now seems very early, it’s normally into September before mine are at that stage. Just need to check regularly to make sure the pods don’t dry completely and then eject the beans onto the ground

[cc]

Completely purple? I will keep an eye on them. Do you ever eat the pods when young?
Thanks

[RussButler]

I am eating the pods young, they taste like a French bean.

[Grubbypaws]

Definitely eat them young. Dried Borlottis are cheap and easy to buy. Fresh young Borlottis are impossible to buy and are a treat. When you can feel  the swollen beans pop the pod open and add them raw to a salad 

[snowdrops]

Yes I use them like runner beans & then later on let some develop to dry the beans inside for winter use. The pods don’t go completely purple but more than they start off, the beans inside change colour as they mature too. A really useful bean to grow I find.

[Nobbie]

I was assuming you wanted to dry and store them, for immediate use the others have given you good advice. Enjoy