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How to Harvest Soy Beans
How to Harvest Soy Beans. Soybeans are an easy-to-grow, warm weather crop that have recently become a favorite of home gardeners. Soybeans, loaded with protein, fiber and calcium, can be an important addition to a healthy diet. They can be served as a side dish accompanying a full meal, or enjoyed on the side as a healthy snack.
Soybeans are an easy-to-grow, warm weather crop that have recently become a favorite of home gardeners. Soybeans, loaded with protein, fiber and calcium, can be an important addition to a healthy diet. They can be served as a side dish accompanying a full meal, or enjoyed on the side as a healthy snack.
Harvest soybeans when they are fully grown. To determine ripeness, feel the beans inside the pods. They should be firm but not hard. The soybean pods will be green, rough, fuzzy and plump.
Harvest soybeans before the pods begin to turn yellow. The timeframe for harvest is very short, especially during hot weather.
Test for readiness by picking a few pods. Boil the pods for five minutes, and then put them under cold running water immediately to cool. Pop the soybeans out of the pods and taste them. If the texture and taste are to your liking, now is the time to harvest the soybeans.
Harvest an entire row of plants on the same day if possible, and try not to spread your harvest out more than two days.
Harvest the soybeans immediately if the leaves are turning yellow. The soybeans will be slightly past their prime, but will still be usable. If the beans themselves have turned yellow, use them like lima beans or throw them in some chili.
Tips & Warnings
If harvest day is a scorcher weatherwise, you can pull out the entire plant and harvest the beans in a cool, shady spot.
Large soybean growers will use more complicated means of removing the soybeans from the pods, but for home-gardeners, hand-shelling is the generally the best way to go. It can be a pleasant shared activity on a summer afternoon. Make some lemonade, relax and enjoy.
