I grow bush beans every year...it depends what you want to do with them harvest them when beans are just tiny if you want to use in a stir fry ... but for an actual green bean like in your local grocer......harvest when u can see the beans in the pod...BUT....before pods start changing color...you want to harvest a deep green pod with mature beans in size...if this is your first time...allow a trail and error lol ut its not hard to know the time !!! if you allow the beans to get to big though you will have a tough outer....trust me when they are ready you will know !! they are super easy to freeze and to cook fresh but look like a canned green bean in case you have kids !!!....you want to cut and cook for about 30 to 45 min be sure to add salt to the cooking process !!! I hope this helps