Green Runner Beans.

[cacran]

Why is it that some of my beans are very woody and inedible? Have I let them get too big before harvesting??? Is there a time of year when they are too late to pick??
allotmenting is quite a science really!!!!!

[cacran]

[SPUDLY]

Runner beans can become very stringy and not pleasant to eat if left too long. I try to pick mine when they have grown to about the length of my hand (end of palm to tip of fingers) then trim the ends off, cut into inch long pieces, blanch and freeze.

[Flighty]

Yes they have a picking season like most things.  Beyond that you can always cook just the beans but see this thread!

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,55296.0.html