Runner bean advice please - saving seed

ampersand

Last month, I left some runner beans growing, to dry out for next year's seed.
Now back from France, >6 weeks later, they're like truncheons, no sign of dying down. Most are now over 2' long with very fat seeds evident.

What to do? - are they ever going to die down, dry out now? Does it matter?

I'd pulled most things out by this time last year.

Thankyou for any advice.

djohn2002uk

They'll soon dry now. Mine are still hanging on. Trouble is the weather is still comparatively mild that's why they are still green. I have taken them off green in the past but only because the weather had got so bad. I think you could pull them up and hang them upside down in the garage but I would leave them as long as possible as long as no bad frost is forecast.

ampersand

No garage, but can rig up something in a covered outside corner.
Thankyou - perfect response.

djohn2002uk

Weather says down to 2 or 3 degrees tonight so I've cut mine off at the bottom and hung them upside down. They are an old variety called Long As Your Arm that I planted just for seed. My Enorma that I grew this year are still in the ground taking a chance as I've got enough LAYA anyway.

ampersand

Thanks again dj - it's distinctly colder today; all foliage has a crispy dry feeling generally since stormy winds. I've pulled out the teepees to stack under cover.