Harvest and Storage

Fresh Pea (Green, Podded, or Snow) - Depending on the variety or type grown, it takes 60-70 days from planting until harvest. Green peas are commonly machine harvested (once-over pass), and the machine shells the peas. With edible-podded or snow pea, harvests occurs every few days once plants start producing pods of the desirable size. Peas are highly perishable. To maintain quality, cool immediately to 35 °F and store under high humidity for 7-10 days.

Broad Bean - It often takes 90-120 days from planting until harvest. To maintain quality, cool immediately to 35 °F and store under high humidity for 7-10 days.

Fresh Bean (Bush or Pole) - Depending on the variety, it takes 60-80 days from planting until harvest. Harvests occurs every few days once plants start producing pods of the desirable size. With pole beans, picking generates more flowers and pods. Bush beans are commonly machine picked (once-over harvest), where all the pods are stripped off the plants. To maintain quality, cool immediately to 40 °F to 45 °F and store under high humidity for 7 days.

Lima Bean - Depending on the variety, it often takes 70-100 days from planting until harvest. Harvest for fresh pod when the seeds are full size. Pod maturity is variable due to different flowering times. Harvest about once per week. To maintain quality, cool immediately to 40 °F to 45 °F and store under high humidity for 7 days.

Dry Bean or Pea - It often takes 80-120 days from planting until harvest for beans or 80-100 days for peas. Use a once-over harvests approach to gather all pods when they are dry. Machine harvest in the morning when plants are more hydrated to avoid pod shatter. When pods and seeds are very dry, seed damage may occur during harvest.