Broad Beans

[martini]

Hi folks - I've been given some Aquadulce Claudia beans and have cleared a spot for them to go in as I can't wait to get something growing. Do I just sow them in the ground or would it be better if I brought them on in the propagator, hardened them off and then put them outside ? Should I put fleece on them straight away or wait until it gets a lot colder ? Thanks

[nick the grief]

Hi Martini,

I'd sow them in loo roll tubes or paper pots (you can still sow them outside ) unless you can guarantee the mice won't get your seeds. Then plant them when they get a bitt bigger & fleece them when it gets cold.

[multiveg]

I'd sow straight out in October/November. They would benefit from some shelter - temperature I don't think is a problem for them, maybe the wind & rain would be. We have some corrugated plastic sheets which hubby built into a frame for protection.
Spring sown, I would perhaps sow in modules at home in the garden then take down - had a germination problem this year with direct sown ones.

[martini]

Thanks for the advice Nick and Multiveg - I think I'd better sow them indoors as we do have a problem with mice - fields not far away (had 7 in the garage last year ). Nice idea about getting the OH to build a frame for protection - he needs something to keep him busy now he's finished the 'ugly but functional' coldframe

[Snadger]

I love broad beans but had a miserable crop this year. I found quite a few of the beans distributed around the lottie on the surface and some just disapeared completely
I always asumed it was birds but never thought of mice taking them. How do either birds or mice know they are there? They were buried about 2" under the surface.
I have four packets of different varieties ready for planting in Nov.
Was just going to cover them with mesh, but that won't keep mice out!
Looks like I'll have to set them in pots instead

[nick the grief]

You can cover with mesh Snadger, just put a couple of traps in as well.

[roitelet]

Hi Snadger, This is something you might like to try to keep the mice off Cut small bits of gorse and lay them in the drills when you plant the beans. When the mice dig down to the beans they get their noses pricked and give up ! I used to do this with peas in Devon after loosing rows to the little darlings and it worked. Worth getting your fingers pricked cutting the gorse!

[heebiejeebie]

mine are in paper pots for transplanting. I just like to be able to see the green stuff straight away in the plot!