Green beans are harvested when they are growing rapidly and developing. This will occur about 8-10 days after flowering for mature green beans. Beans are harvested when the fruit is bright green, the pod is fleshy and seeds are small and green.

Quality

Beans are well formed and straight, bright in color with a fresh appereance, and tender but firm. They should snap easily when bent. Leaves, stems, broken beans, blossom remains, insect damage are not present.

Temperature

Optimum temperature for green beans is 5-7.5 C (41-45 F) and a relative humidity of 95-100% Very good quality can be maintained at temperatures below 5 C after 7-8 days. At 5-7.5 C (41-45 F) at shelf-life of 8-12 days is expected.