When it comes to saving beans like Zebra Pole and Scarlet Runner beans, patience is required. In order to save these beans to store much longer in jars, you need to wait for the pods to completely dry. For us this usually happens right at the end of the season. Pole bean pods are best harvested when it is young and tender. You can also wait for the beans to form and allow the pods to completely turn brown and dry. If you harvest in between when the pods have developed and still green, it will be