This year I left a few pods on my Pea and Broad Bean plants. Why? Because I was planning ahead for next years harvest and saving myself some pennies. Over the last month or so I removed the majority of plants after harvesting. But, kept one plant each of the Broad Beans and Peas, each with some healthy pods on. Over time the pods have dried and wrinkled, in other words set seed. That is just how easy it is to save Pea Seeds and save Broad Bean seeds.
It is not until opening the pods you discover just how successful your seed harvest is. I am very pleased with my supply of seeds for next year, I have left them in the greenhouse a little longer to continue drying.
Store in a paper or cardboard envelope, label with the date and variety. I store all my seeds in a tin, on a dark shelf in my garage. Think cool, dry and dark for storing seeds. A tin will also protect them from any pesky mice should they be on the hunt for an easy lunch!
If the weather is damp and the seed pods still require more drying, leave them in the greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill.Be wary some pods may turn black, have mold on or inside them when opened. I would recommend you discard any seeds harvested from these pods, you do not want diseased or unhealthy seeds.See my other guides on how to collect Sunflower Seeds and Cornflower Seeds
