By sticky, do you mean fuzzy, like velcro? That's normal.

What they say on seed packets is an approximation, and usually an optimistic one. Best guide is the look of the vegetable, and especially the feel of it. I pick largely by touch. A green been that's ripe has a firm, full feeling to it.

If you haven't already noticed, green bean leaves will stick to your clothing. Or, if you're out picking on a hot day and start to sweat, they'll stick to your skin. This can be especially enchanting if you're surrounded by pole beans. :-)

While waiting for my pole beans to bear this week, I bought some "locally grown" green beans at the supermarket yesterday. They were perfectly smooth--almost shiny. They were perfect in every other way, too, except for . . .

Here is a link that might be useful: Those

I think the grocery store ones get smooth and shiny because they get so much handling. Just like store cucumbers have the spines knocked off them.

I have had bush and string beans over the years. This is my first bush beans with sticky, velcro-like skin. A different variety than before and the individual leaves are larger. The Kentucky blue bush bean from previous years never had this stickiness. I have a Crepe myrtle tree close by, that drops small soft blossoms and they cling to my beans and make washing them a bit of a chore. The pole beans I had grown previously also had large leaves and very, very clingy, and what a mess, clothes gloves, shoes, everything, and not so much of a spiritual experience, more like an alien invasion. Next year I will be more careful about trying different varieties. I do not believe the Grocery Green beans are smooth from handling but from the variety grown. Try Kentucky Blue from Burpee