Write an article based on this "Harvest the beans when the pods turn yellow and dry. Cut mature pods off of the bean plant. Remove the beans from the pods and let them dry. Store your dried beans in an airtight container."
You will know your pods are ready to harvest when they become yellow, dry, and hard. You can harvest the pods while they are still green, but you will need to let them mature and dry completely before you can remove the beans inside. Black beans generally reach maturity and are ready for harvest 90-140 days after planting. If your black bean plant is a bush variety, all the pods should mature at the same time. If you have a vining variety, you will need to harvest the pods regularly throughout the growing season to encourage continued production. When the pods become dry and yellow, take a pair of scissors or a small pruner and snip off any mature pods. If you're not totally sure that the pods are mature, break one open and see if the beans inside are dry and black (immature beans will be moist and paler in color). You can also try biting down on a bean. If it's dry and ready to harvest, your teeth won't leave a dent. You can harvest immature or fresh beans before they are fully dry, but you can't store them for as long. Try to harvest your beans during dry weather. If your beans are almost ready to harvest but the forecast calls for a lot of rain, bring the whole plant indoors and hang it upside-down so it can finish drying inside. Once you've harvested the pods, crack them open to remove the beans inside. Spread the beans out on a flat surface and let them dry for a day or two before cooking or storing. Hand-shelling black beans can be tedious work. You may find it easiest to collect the beans if you put all the pods in a sack or pillowcase and stomp on it or hit it against a wall a few times. Your black beans will keep for up to a year if you store them properly. Keep them in a cool, dry place, and place them in an airtight container to protect them from moisture and insects.