Harvesting Sea Island Red Peas - Ask Extension
I grew Sea Island Red Peas for the first time and wanted to harvest dry beans, but with the weather cooling I am wondering if there’s a way to dry t...
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Harvesting Sea Island Red Peas #888118
Asked October 16, 2024, 8:24 PM EDT
I grew Sea Island Red Peas for the first time and wanted to harvest dry beans, but with the weather cooling I am wondering if there’s a way to dry them on the vine before they are damaged by frost. Or if I go ahead and harvest the rest will they dry off the vines? Also I’m wondering if the pods are getting discolored because of the weather and if the peas are still ok. Thank you!
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Fortunately, the weather for drying the pods on the vine in order to harvest dry beans is looking good for the next week, so you can let the seeds that are mature (but not dry yet) continue to dry. The seeds in harvested pods that are full-size and mature but not dry can also be shelled and spread out on a tray indoors. They should fully dry and be ok for storage at that point. Seeds that are full-size but not fully mature may or may not dry properly, so you might need to experiment.
Black fungal growth on the pods cam get through to seeds, so it's probably best to harvest those seeds if they are mature and let them dry indoors. The other option, if pods are in decent condition but you think you don't have time to let a current crop of beans mature or dry, is to harvest them green and treat them like green beans instead, using them fresh.
Miri
Black fungal growth on the pods cam get through to seeds, so it's probably best to harvest those seeds if they are mature and let them dry indoors. The other option, if pods are in decent condition but you think you don't have time to let a current crop of beans mature or dry, is to harvest them green and treat them like green beans instead, using them fresh.
Miri
Hello Miri,
Thank you for the helpful suggestions!
Janice
You're welcome!
