I had quite a few crack open on the sides this year--many more than typical. Pod maturity timing was a little later and the weather was cooler and wetter. Some pods were still green when the seams started to tear and I could see white seeds inside. They still matured out just fine with what appeared to be very good seed of the usual color, etc. A couple of these late green pods with split seams were hit with a 27'F early freeze as well with no apparent damage to the pod or the seed. Not sure what causes this condition but I think it may be late abundant rainfall during the very end of the maturing season that provides for just that last little bit of growth to occur in the center of the pod while the skin on the pod is hardening up. Nature has it's ways--maybe to vent moisture and gasses out the sides while keeping the top sealed and more water proof during this last spurt of growth.
