Storing French Bean seeds

Birdy13

When my French Beans finished this year I kept back some of the pods to provide bean seeds for next year. My question is simply this: once the pods have dried and turned brown should the beans be left IN the pods until sowing next year or should I remove the beans from the pods and store them differently? If the latter, how and where should they be stored?

Dovefromabove

I take them out and store them in a brown paper bag or envelope and keep them in a dry sideboard drawer. 

😊 

Birdy13

Hello Dove, thanks for that quick reply. Am I also right to leave the beans in the pods until the pods are dry and brown? And are the beans only ready to leave their pods once the pods have split open on their own?

Dovefromabove

Hi @Birdy13  😊 I keep them in a dry place and remove the seeds when the pods are dry and brittle. 

Birdy13

That was more or less my instinctive thought but it's good to have it confirmed.

Dovefromabove

😊

Digging-it

Hi, I have just been saving French bean seeds from my plants grown this year. BUT I have so many I can’t possibly use them all next year does anyone know if it’s Ok to dry the seed and use them in stews/casseroles like cannellini or borlotti beans? 

Thanks

Obelixx

Yes.  That's what they do round here anyway.  I don't grow beans as they need too much irrigation.