For planting directions see lima beans. HARVEST: As soon as beans have filled their pods, you can harvest them to use as green soybeans. Best flavor and weight is attained just before pods start to lose their bright green color. At this point, strip remaining leaves off plants. Remove pods from plant. To ease shelling of green soybeans, steam or boil for about 5 minutes. Shell. Use fresh or freeze for later use. DRY SOYBEANS After about 90% of leaves have fallen off plants, pull plant. Hang in a dry, cool location until completely dry. Shell pods and store in jars or freeze for later use.