Why are beans and peas good for beginners?
Both are mostly self-pollinating, so different varieties planted side by side rarely cross. The seed is large, easy to handle and dries on its own in the pod. A few plants can produce a good supply of seed for next year.
Start with open-pollinated varieties. Seed saved from hybrids will not reliably repeat the parent, and some varieties have restrictions on propagation, so check the packet.
Plan the row before you sow. Leave a section of the planting for seed and do not harvest from it for eating, so the pods can stay on the plants.
Which plants should you save from?
Choose healthy, productive plants with the qualities you want, such as flavor, vigor, disease tolerance and timing. Mark them early, and set aside the first pods or a dedicated section of the row for seed rather than saving what is left after eating.
Pick pods from plants that look sound. Diseases can pass on seed, so skip plants with spots, mold or obvious illness, and ask your extension office about seed-borne diseases in your area.
How long do you leave the pods on the plant?
For both crops, leave seed pods on the plant past the eating stage until they turn dry, brittle and, depending on the variety, tan or brown. The seeds inside should be hard, and rattle in the pod. Seed harvested while still green is immature and does not store or sprout well.
In a wet fall, bring plants or pods under cover before they rot. Pull whole plants and hang them in a dry, airy place if rain threatens, so that the pods can finish drying.
If weather turns wet before the pods dry, pull the plants and hang them upside down in a covered, airy place. The seed often finishes ripening on the dried plant.
- Leave pods until dry and brittle.
- Harvest on a dry day.
- Bring plants in if rain is coming.
- Discard moldy or split pods.
How do you shell and dry the seed?
Shell the seed by hand or by gently crushing the dry pods, and separate the seed from the pod pieces. Spread it in a single layer in a warm, airy place out of direct sun for extra days to dry fully, since seed that feels dry may still hold moisture inside. Seed that bends or dents is not ready.
Discard damaged, moldy, shriveled or discolored seeds. Healthy seed is firm, full and uniform in color for the variety.
Wear a dust mask when shelling large amounts of dry pods, since the dust can irritate lungs. Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated space.
What about insects in stored seed?
Bean and pea seed can carry insect pests, such as weevils, whose eggs may be laid on pods in the field and hatch in storage. Inspect seed for small holes and tiny insects, and discard any infested seed. Ask your extension office about methods suited to your area for preventing storage infestations, and avoid applying pesticides to seed you plan to eat.
Store only clean, dry seed in tight containers, and check them occasionally during the winter.
Record the amount of seed you gather and how it performed when sown, so that you learn how many plants you need for a good supply.
How do you store bean and pea seed?
Use sealed jars or envelopes with labels showing the crop, variety and year. Keep them in a cool, dry, dark place and away from rodents. Seed kept dry and cool stays viable for several years, though the time differs by crop, so check an extension guide.
Test older seed before planting by sprouting a sample on damp paper. If the rate is low, plant more thickly or replace it.
Can you eat the seed you saved?
Dry beans can be eaten, but seed set aside for planting should be kept separate, and you should never eat seed that was treated with a fungicide or other chemical, which is often marked by a dye. Do not eat seed from a packet that carries a treatment warning.
Keep seed for eating and seed for planting in different, clearly marked containers so there is no mix-up. If you plan to preserve beans or peas for eating, use a tested recipe from the National Center for Home Food Preservation or your extension office. Ask your extension office about local rules or guidance if you plan to share or sell any saved seed, since seed laws are set by the state and differ from place to place.
Key takeaways
- Beans and peas self-pollinate, so seed is easy to save pure.
- Mark healthy parent plants early.
- Leave pods to dry on the plant, or finish drying under cover.
- Inspect and store seed in sealed containers against insects.
- Never plant or eat treated seed carelessly; keep planting and eating seed separate.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.