Scarlet Runner Beans - late season harvest

Hi all. Killing frost in three days. 72 hours.

After harvesting fresh green beans all summer, I let my scarlet runner beans grow some big pods but I left it pretty late. Some may be viable, some not.

The question is, do I pick off the pods before the big freeze? Or do I pull out the whole tripod, plants and all, and store them in an outbuilding? They have been partially hit by frost but inner leaves still have life. Which is most likely to mature the seeds just a little more towards viability?

(Note, I have a whole bag of good seed at hand. So no panic. But I wonder what could be done in a tight spot?)

Yes, I would pick before a freeze.

Use or dry for later use or seeds.

Contrary view: if you put the whole tripod in the shed, is there any natural light? If so, can you put the tubers into compost?

Because runner beans are perennial in frost-free conditions, I'd say the above conditions would allow them to ripen somewhat more.

I'd pull the whole tripod and hang it somewhere cool and airy if you've got space. Seen seeds carry on filling out for a week or two after that, frost or not. Just picking the pods loses that, and they can shrivel pretty quick if they weren't fully ripe.

Slightly off topic: S R beans make an awesome bean dip (hummus). I use my regular hummus recipe, but you get a different flavor using SR beans than Chick peas. My friends liked it too.

I had a closer look today. There are a few that will form viable seed but the majority won't. I left it too late -- oh well.

Result: I picked them all off. The weather is going sideways and once they freeze they are of no use to anyone. I'll pick out the likely candidates for seed and the rest will become chicken snacks or dog stew.

Next year I will grow a couple of tripods just for seed, to refresh my supply. The price they charge for these in the little packets is ridiculous.