Bean & Pea Seed Saving — FarmPal

Among the simplest seeds to save. Self-pollinating, no processing required beyond drying. Let pods dry on the plant, harvest, and store.

Pollination
self
Isolation
10-20 feet (cross-pollination very rare)
Seed Maturity
Let pods dry completely on plant (4-6 weeks past eating stage)
Storage Life
3-5 years (some varieties much longer)

Harvest

  1. 1Stop harvesting some pods let them dry brown on the vine
  2. 2Pods should be papery and rattle when shaken
  3. 3If rain threatens, cut whole plants and hang upside down to finish drying

Processing

  1. 1Shell dry pods by hand or thresh in bag
  2. 2Winnow chaff by pouring beans between two containers in a breeze
  3. 3Freeze shelled beans for 48 hours to kill weevil eggs
  4. 4Spread out after freezing to dry off any condensation

Storage Tips

  • •Airtight container after freezer treatment
  • •Cool, dark, dry storage
  • •Add food-grade diatomaceous earth to prevent weevils

Pro Tips

  • 💡The freezer step is crucial bean weevils lay eggs inside developing seeds
  • 💡Save seed from your most vigorous, productive, and disease-free plants
  • 💡Snap beans and dry beans are the same species they will cross if different varieties nearby
  • 💡Heritage bean varieties are living history some date back centuries