Have got some heritage veg. seeds and not sure how best to grow them?

[James_B]

I have recently got a few heritage seeds from the HDRA stall at our annual seed swap in Hove but didn't think to ask about growing them. Can anyone give me advice on whether the 'Yugoslavian No4' and 'Afia' dwarf french beans are best grown for the dried bean or for picking as a green bean ? Also any tips on planting time etc for 'Kaskinauris' turnips?

Thanks

James

[Paulottie]

Hi.

Don't often grow turnips myself but the general gist is sow Spring for young Summer eating and sow in Summer for lifting in early Winter and storing.

Beans like to get into a warm bed. Sow in early June outside. And for storage (haricots) they should mature on the plant...always a prob in a wet Autumn as they start to rot. For pickling green ...pick younger.

I can't comment on your varieties.

[Two_Sheds]

Your varieties don't show up in a Google search. Possibly they are Finnish/Serbian local variety names? I haven't gone as far as translation sites.

[James_B]

Thanks, tried Googling myself, got that kaskinauris might be a Finnish name and is a really old variety.

I might have to pay to join HDRA to find out... or just plant them as I do other stuff and see what happens! I think I will grow the beans for seed this year anyway and ask the HDRA bods next year at the seed swap!

Thanks

James

[zazen999]

HI James.

if I can find my HSL booklet, I will see if I can find those beans; but I find that most beans can be used either as green or dried; they are all pretty when in a nice kilner jar.

Not every seed is listed in the book we get; so you might have to call them if you want more detailed info.

Growing them; I'd not [personally] sow them outside; being that they are heritage and you probably only have a few; I'd grow in root-trainers/toilet roll insides/thin deep pots/modules during May and plant out when they are a few inches tall.

It might help if you put your location into your profile, stops us asking all the time [and we only assume you live in Hove].