Broad beans and peas

[Dave & Kate N Wales]

We've started our broad beans and peas inside a and both are doing really well now so i think they will need need to go outside soon so the peas don;t start wrapping themselves around the shelving posts. so is it too soon to plant them out or can i start hardening them off now and how long should i harden them off for before planting them in the ground. Also when can i start my direct sowing of peas and broadies in the ground and do they need any protection.
Thanks Katie

[WeeGarden]

Broad beans and peas are hardy so you can harden them off now to plant. I sowed mine in Jan/Feb and hardened off and they're all planted out now.

You can sow direct outside now too. I don't think there's a need to cover them, now that weather's quite mild. Broad beans would germinate in very low temps.

[Alison]

I'd not be happy sowing direct outside yet, our soil is still pretty cold and I'm not convinved temps won't plummet again soon. However, if your peas and beans are hardy types then you'll be fine planting them out. Have mine in an unheated greenhouse at the moment but they'll be going out on the plot pretty soon.

[gojiberry]

First row of peas went out on the lottie about 3 weeks ago and the first broad beans 4/5 days later. The second row of peas have just come through in the greenhouse and should be planted out in about 2 weeks after hardening off. Trays of 15 broad beans are being started of in the greenhouse about every 10 days. Still to early to plant peas out direct though most plotholders have put broad bean direct into ground this week.

Ian

[nerdgas]

I'll be direct sowing some sugarsnap peas this weekend but I'll probably whack a fleece cloche over them:

A - to help them germinate
B - to help stop them been pinched by mice or anything else.......

[Dave & Kate N Wales]

Thanks i have started hardening them today, will sow some more indoors for now rather than sowing direct i think. How long should i harden the current plants out for?

[vegnut]

I have just sown my mangetout, snap and maincrop peas in the rootrainers outside, and used the clear plastic lid for mice protection, and a little extra warmth to aid germination.
I am just about to transfer my broadies to the plot, they were also planted in rootrainers a month ago and are now hardened off and ready to go.

[COMPOST CORNER]

I'm about to plant out broadbeans and Kelvedon wonder peas.
They have been in the house so will put a cloche over them and hope for the best.