Have I been too impatient....

[northmaid]

.... with my french beans? Sowed dwarf, and some heritage climbers (Kew blue, I think) a few weeks ago. They germinated and grew well in the greenhouse, and then they were hardened off in the cold frame for over two weeks - looked really healthy, dark green and about 6" tall. I planted them out last weekend ; the climbers under fleece and the dwarf under a polythene cloche. They still seemed to be doing fine up to Wednesday, didn't go to the lottie yesterday as I was away all day. This morning went down and see that ALL of them have wilted leaves and look really sorry for themselves (don't think it's a watering problem). I've sowed some more dwarf today, sadly no heritage climbers left. Have I planted out far too early, even though they were protected?
Having read posts via the search on sowing & planting times I fear it may be. Should have done this first perhaps!

[BarleySugar]

French beans really do not like the cold, and I've still had frosts this week, so with you being more northerly than me, I would think they probably have caught cold. Our last frost date here is supposed to be the end of April, but I think it will be later this year. First and last frost dates for towns and cities in the UK and USA This website, posted by some other Grape, should give you some idea of when it will be safe, but do watch the forecasts as well.

[Llamas]

LOL, of course I would have planted mine out today.

[Helgalush]

I've planted mine already, they germinated over the last week or two and I have potted them on as they are about 3-4 inches high. They are in my plastic greenhouse, hoping they continue to do well.

When I looked on that last Frost website, it showed around the 7th May for last frost here. The night temps look set to be higher for the next few days round here so fingers crossed. We did just have a couple of nights at around 0-2 degrees.

[ginger ninger]

I sowed my dwarf beans yesterday in 3" pots so they have plenty of room to put down good roots, establish them self's before I plant them out in the back end of May.
I would say it was much too cold on a night for your beans even with fleece and a cloche it still drops very cold. I'd love to have send you some more seed, but I've sown mine now.

[Flummery]

I'm a cautious old biddy as regulars will tell you, and I live half way up England, but I don't plant mine out till the end of May.

[Rhona]

French beans can be ever so delicate in even a touch of frost. As you now know...

It is better to err on the side of caution with them. That said, I've only ever sown them direct at the end of May/beginning of June, and always had ok results. Plenty of time to start again with them though, though a shame you lost the Heritage ones!

It really is worth keeping a diary of all of these things - you THINK you're going to remember but come next year, it'll be such a handy guide to what you did, and when. It does help to hone your growing techniques. It's also enjoyable reading through what you've done in previous years.

[gojiberry]

Definitely to early to plant out French beans, even in the south, and I wouldn't even take a chance with runners yet.

Ian

[Glutton4...]

Definitely to early to plant out French beans, even in the south, and I wouldn't even take a chance with runners yet.

Ian

My Runners and Peas have been out a week! But they do have plastic bottle cloches on, and I put a layer of fleece on at night too. Fingers are firmly crossed though.

[Flummery]

I've got a few Kew Blue around if you'd like to pm me. It's not too late to sow again!

[Two_Sheds]

French Beans are sub-tropical in origin, and for this reason need a minimum soil temperature of 16°C

[rustylady]

French Beans are sub-tropical in origin, and for this reason need a minimum soil temperature of 16°C

Therefore it is much too early to be planting them outside in most of England at the moment.