Blackened broadies

[Vince G]

Went up the lottie this morning to get the veg for the weekend and I noticed the broad bean seedlings I put in a couple of weekends back have black tips. I assume it's down to the hard frost we had earlier in the week, but I got no such damage last year. Maybe it's because I started them off indoors before planting them out, and they got too used to a nice warm windowsill and weren't properly hardened off before planting? Does this sound about right?

Will they recover (I suppose they have 2 options) or will I have to pant some more in the spring?

[Feral007]

Mine went that way too. I thought they might have been baked (baked beans?) as I don't think we got the frost that we were threatened with. If they can't stand the frost and they can't stand the baking heat, then they can't stand our climate

[cptncrackoff]

It was pretty cold the other night.
I had some last year that got a bit 'burnt' off by the frost but they did pull through, saying that they were a variety that doesnt mind a little over-wintering.
Ive started some in the unheated greenhouse a few weeks ago, they have only just popped up, but are really dark and hard.

I'd leave them if they're not looking totally dead, if you dont need the room now youve got nothing to lose.

What variety are they?

[Vince G]

2 rows of Aquadulce and 2 of Bunyards Exhibition. Both are meant to do OK over the winter, so we'll see how they fare. Bound to get a mild spell soon and I'm sure they'll pick up then

[VirginVegGrower]

I cloche mine over the top with polycarbonate sheeting from double glaziers, like an upside down V - just keeps the frost off and is free.

[Feral007]

Mine are aquadulce too. Maybe they are meant to be a little black!

[cptncrackoff]

2 rows of Aquadulce and 2 of Bunyards Exhibition. Both are meant to do OK over the winter, so we'll see how they fare. Bound to get a mild spell soon and I'm sure they'll pick up then

Different weather forecasts across the border!? lol

I'd give them a go, you never know!

Mine are sutton, short but crop well, i like them because they dont tend to blow over as much, but i might be tempted to try 'proper' broadies up the lottie.

[Aberdeenplotter]

If you start any plants off inside it is very important to harden them off before moving them permanently outside otherwise the growth will be susceptible to damage by cold(not necessarily frost). So on the mild days, stick your trays of seedlings outside for a few hours and take them in at nights gradually lengthening the time they spend outdoors until there is a forecast of relatively mildweather for a few days at which point you can safely plant them out although even at that it may be sensible to cover them with fleece to give them some protection until they establish.

[Two_Sheds]

Maybe it's because I started them off indoors before planting them out, and they got too used to a nice warm windowsill and weren't properly hardened off

Yes, exactly that.

There's no real benefit to starting them off indoors, none at all: they just grow too soft & weak.
Never mind: cut them back if they're blackened. The roots will *probably* be fine and new foliage will come.


btw, thanks for the butternuts: that was a nice surprise when I came in off the beach (windy dog walk)