Dear Ann,

"Ann" wrote in message
...
I've grown both butterbeans and edamames. I have no experience with
either - when are they ready to harvest? The butterbean plants are
turning yellow (although they're still upright and healthy looking),
the pods are plump and covered with fuzz. Any help would be
appreciated - and how do you preserve them, freezing? Thanx!
--
Ann

First, butterbeans: I presume you are referring to lima beans. If
desired to eat fresh, they should have been picked already. Thus, I
infer you are trying for dry beans. In this case, pick when the pods
seem dry. I have learned from bitter experience that if you wait too
long, they will mold and become useless. Bring them inside and let
them dry in the pods for a while, maybe a month. Then break open the
pods and store in a cool, dry place.

For edamame, pick when the pods look full. If unsure, pick a few, boil
them up and have a try. So far I haven't been disappointed no matter
what the size. The only effect of picking them too small is reduced
yield. In my limited experience, three years growing these, yield
won't be a problem.

The recommendation I have been following for preserving edamame is to
parboil them in the pods for maybe five minutes, then freeze them,
still in the pods. To prepare, boil, still in the pods, for about 10
min., pop out of the pods and eat. You can treat them like lima beans,
put some butter on them, perhaps some herbs - I like lemon pepper.

Guy Bradley
Chesterfield MO
zone 6