Winter varieties?

[crazy_red]

Hi all,

I'm completely new to veg growing and need a bit of help, please.

I have been reading about 'starting' peas, broad beans, etc. off in the greenhouse over winter.

Are there only specific varieties you can do this with or will any pea or broadbean do?

I have been given a packet of 'Kelvedon Wonder' peas and some 'Bunyard's Exhibition' broad beans and wondered if these were suitable.

Also what should I plant them in, as my green house doesn't have borders eg. compost type, pot size etc.?

Thank you

[BrideXIII]

my beans are doing fine so far, 'the sutton' so not particularly a winter variety although i have seen that they can be.
peas are doing fine in the greenhouse the are 'kelvedon wonder' they are in 4 inch pots for now, the beans are out in the ground, both in ordinary multi-compost. I might spread some straw round the beans for added protection when it gets really cold.

[lynda66]

all my beans died with last weeks frost (didn't get my polytunnel up in time)....... so i'm not bothering to plant them straight outside now ...... it hit some of the peas, kelvedon wonder and early onward, but some are still going so i'd definitely start them in the greenhouse ...... mine are just in soil, don't think they are particularly fussy.

[Snadger]

Haven't sown mine yet!

[bravo2zero]

Try super aquadulce broad bean and feltham first peas these are hardy enough.

[Two_Sheds]

I've tried different varieties of Broadie over the years ... Aquedulce is the one to go for, without a doubt.
Sutton is a possible, but I never found it very good.


Bunyards Exhibition is better sown in the spring.

[crazy_red]

Thanks everyone for your help!

Incidentally, what happens if you sow the wrong variety - is it just that are they are not hardy enough once sprouted or is it the wrong time of year/too cold for them to germinate?

Red x

[Two_Sheds]

Red, some varieties are tougher/hardier than others. Some cope with wet/wind/cold better than others.

[Farmer_Gyles]

red - if you've sown an ordinary variety, it MIGHT survive the winter, might not - probably depend on the weather - but always better to sow an autumn/winter variety as it's more likely to survive the winter

peas - feltham first / meteor
broad beans - aquadulce claudia
onion sets - any onion sets in the shops now should be fine over the winter
cauliflower - "all year round" can be growing in the cold frame / greenhouse over winter for planting out in spring, same with some other things
and garlic - needs frost to make the bulb split into lots of cloves