Drying Beans

[Jerry M]

I've got speckled Lime Beans comming off like ain't no tomorrow and I'd like to dry them for keeping. Does anyone know the best way to dry them ? Do I just spread them out on something outside and let the sun and air dry them or will they rot ?

Jerry

[Eugene]

We used to use old window screens set up on saw horses. Place the window screens and beans in a dry place.

[Jerry M]

thanks eugene. how long should it take ? how can i tell when they are dry enough ?

[Bill Hudson]

Jerry,

This sure seems to simplify the process http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/dry/vine.html
You might want to give it a try, at least on some of your beans.

Bill

[SONNY]

Before you pick them,--let the pods turn yellow and if you have decent weather , wait until the pods turn brown!!--Then it won't take near as long to finish drying them!!----Also they will be nice and mature, (plump and won't shrink when you finish the drying process)!----I have the white ones on the fence(70 feet of them!) and the ones that we pick to freeze, I get just as the pods start to turn light yellow!--they shell easier, and are still soft!--just right for frozen green limas!-----The ones I want for seed/dry beans I let "brown out" so they are better quality when you finish them off! thanks; sonny

[Eugene]

How long should it take ? how can i tell when they are dry enough ?

As the others have stated let the beans dry on the vine. Once the pod is dry, shelling is easy.

How long to dry on the screens? Depends on the bean, temperature, humidity and ventilation, but usually until the bean was hard. Sometimes only a couple of days. Test eat one to see if it was dry enough.

[Jerry M]

Ok, thanks guys for all the input. We are letting them pretty much dry on the vine. So, I guess probably a couple of days out in the sun should do it. Should I take them in at night to prevent the morning due from getting on them ?

Jerry

[Eugene]

We placed the screens in a shelter, out of the weather. In a garage or porch area so any dew was not a problem.

[Jim Roy]

Betty uses a dehydrator.