Drying beans

[bja105]

Does anyone have any tips for drying beans. I have a large patch of Great Northern, Black Turtle, Yin Yang, and a few I forget. We have been very wet, and if this continues, I don't know if they will dry on the plants. I don't have a barn, shed, or garage to hang plants in. How can I dry these beans? Am I worried about nothing? I have never grown dry beans before.

[Badger]

I sometimes shell them and put them in a thin layer on a tarp with a fan blowing on them and mix them up every day for a few days. I used to grow way more than I could really use. I limit myself to black turtle and pinto now.

Edit to add: Don't pick them until they rattle in the pod - They will almost surely mold if you do.

[geo in mi]

If you don't have any cover to get them under, the next best way would be to pull the vines and hang them on a fence or clothesline. This will at least keep the pods off the ground, where they would surely wick up any moisture. You still may lose some, but you could turn the vines each day to help them dry out.

geo

[Breezy]

The beans start off "like green beans" and then turn yellow, then dry to a brown. They will feel 'crispy' when ready to pick. I pick them as they are ready. If brown, but not quite crispy...and you have continued wet weather....pick and shell into shallow bowl to finish drying.

I'm in zone 4...my dryin' beans are still very much in the green bean stage. Some just starting to form! I'll have some varieties that hit the dry stage sooner (cherokee trail of tears, the yin/yang) Most others (especially pole types) I'll first start picking dry pods in late Sept and crossing my fingers the rest dry off before frost. Most do.

I've shelled beans and put them in the dehydrator. Fair results. Not as good as letting them dry naturally.
You can always use them as shelly beans, too.