On Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:49:54 -0500, Pat Kiewicz
wrote:

said:


My question is: I really did think that scarlett runners stop
producing beans if you don't keep them picked.... that if pods were
left on vine, they stop producing altogether.

So.... has anyone tried leaving pods on plants to dry?

Or.... is there a another bean that will give me green beans plus dry
beans in the Fall ? (region 7)

Any pole (running) bean will, to some extent, allow you to let
some pods go to maturity while still providing beans for eating
as green beans. They don't completely stop growing but will
more sort of suffer a growth check if you let more than a few
pods mature. The solution to that, if it's a problem, would
be a few more plants.

And there are some varieties of 'horticultural' beans that can be
picked as snap beans when small, shell beans when the pods
are nearly mature, or used as dry beans. 'Dragon Langerie'
(Dragon's Tongue) is probably the best known variety here.

I think a home gardener should pay more attention to picking
beans at the fresh shell stage rather than dry, as they are the
sort of thing that is almost never available at the market, unlike
dry beans.

Thankyou so much for that info. I will read up on Dragon Langerie, as
well.
Emma