Newbie to allotments

[lottielady]

Hi to everyone I have taken on an allotment in the last 5 weeks and have cleared the plot thankfully it was recently worked.

I am looking for advice on how and when to plant beans and peas. I have some dwarf beans plants in my mini greenhouse but think it is too early to plant out and also what type of support is needed.
I would welcome any advice.
Thanks

[Flummery]

It's a bit too early to plant out your dwarf beans. In a couple of weeks you could sow directly into the soil if you like. I don't support dwarf beans but some people do. I find that if you put a couple of rows about 6" apart they support each other. Peas will need some support. Check they type you are growing - the packet will telll you how big to expect them to be. Some will wrap tendrils around each other and cope but most need either a net or some twiggy sticks - I use early spring prunings.

Welcome to the grapevine. You'll become addicted - I did!

[rustylady]

Hi Lottielady, welcome to the Vine. Lucky you having an allotment that wasn't a total wilderness or jungle. Peas can be planted now outside, they will need some support, either twiggy sticks or netting. It's a bit early for beans outside - you don't say where you are (you could amend your user profile to give a general location). Dwarf french beans generaly go outside in May (after the last frosts), also climbing french beans and runner beans. Broad beans are (as far as I know) the only hardy beans.

[lottielady]

Thanks for the advice I shall update with any successes or failures

[nick the grief]

hazbeans are hardy as well aren't we LJ

Hi lottilady, welcome to the vine.

Congratulations on the new lottie it's really good isn't it. I sped a load of time down mine when I can and it's sooooo peaceful.

Dwarf beans won't need support ( unless you get a bumper crop ) and the runners & climbing french jobs I always sow mine in pots and plant out in about May -if you give it a couple fo weeks after planting out you can sow some more directup a wigwam and they'll crop a tad later extending the season.

Peas I'd sow about every 2 -3 weeks cos if you are like me we only get one boiling off a row and I eat the rest whilst I'm up the lottie ( Mrs Grief thinks I can't grow them cos the soils no good )

If you grow something like Hurst Greenshaft you won't go far wrong, they are a good pea and grow about 2ft - 3ft high abut 8 peas to the pod and they are nice & sweet.

It's time to sow stuff like brussels & purple sprouting soon aswell so don't forget them unless you can get them locally & save the hassle. (Marshalls do a good selections as well, 64 plants 8 of 8 varieties for about a tenner) Leeks can be sown now as well in a seed bed ready for transplanting and don't forget carrots ( I've got Chantenay & Amasterdam forcing thru & sowed some Yellowstone the other day)

And if you like Salads sow a few in a seed tray each week ( about 4 or 5 seeds) and transplant them at about 4 weeks old, that way you'll have a continuous supply rather than none for weeks and then 100 in a week

Same with beetroot as well.

Hope this helps

[lottielady]

Thankyou all for advice, I have been taken by the allotment bug and my husband thinks I am an allotment bore, still doesn't stop him fixing my shed

[Flummery]

It won't stop him enjoying the excellent fresh grub either!