Broad Beans

[FromYorkshiretoBucks]

Morning all,

Im Keen to get my broad beans started in my raised bed. The only time I’ve grown them previously I have done in autumn in pots and overwintered.

What would be best practice for getting them started now in southern central England?

Im torn between straight into the ground and into pots in my pop up greenhouse and transferring in 3-4 weeks.

thanks in advance.

[nickdub]

I'd chit then first in a warm place, then grow on in pots or deep trays for a few weeks, before planting them out. You could make a subsequent sowing direct into the ground later in the year to give you a succession.

[burnie]

Mine are in cells in the greenhouse, not heated, but protected from the worst of the weather.

[FromYorkshiretoBucks]

Thanks guys I’ll take this approach. How big would say before planting out into the ground?

[burnie]

To be honest the weather will dictate when mine go out more than the size of the plants, as mine are in cells I should be able to plant out with disturbing the roots.

[nick the grief]

Mine are in cells in the greenhouse, not heated, but protected from the worst of the weather.

mine too. theyre hardy but they won't do anything if you plant them out as its too cold.they'll just sit and sulk till it warms up. you can pot them up if theyre getting too pot bound but I have grown them in the greenhouse before now but that was to save the seed and avoid cross pollenation.

[nickdub]

I agree - don't go by the calendar, keep an eye on the weather, and specifically how other outside plants are doing. Warming the ground a bit by putting down some cover such as old bin bags before you intend to plant out will help.

[nick the grief]

my old bosses dad was a head gardener and he always said if you can't sit on the bed with your bear ar*e and drink a cup of tea its too cold

please be careful doing this incase you offend the neigbours