Can I or Can't I Sow French beans now?!

[northepaul]

Hello all

I have recieved conflicting advice, googled and had more conflicting advice. The Vine members advice has always been sound, so hoping you wont mind me picking your brains
Can I sow French beans now indoors ready to plant out end of May? Or should I wait until doing runners too?
Are there some French beans that need sowing earlier or can I wack the lot out at once?

Thanks for you help

[poet]

well, I've got these and Planted them a cple of weeks ago in pods in the conservatory

Authentic Italian Foods - Fagiolo Nano Rocquencourt

[Rhona]

I'd say yes, on the basis that I'm dong ours this weekend.

You're further South than me and I would usually say mid to late May is fine for planting out even here. I've had successful outdoor sowings from May. I'm sure there are some varieties that are more delicate, mind.

You can always try a later sowing if you like.

[SarzWix]

I'll be sowing mine within the next week or so too. Hardening off will commence a couple of days after they pop through, so that I get slow sturdy growth, planted out by the last week in May. Hopefully. That's the plan anyway

[Tomatoking]

We planted our 'haricots verts' outside straight into the ground only this week, we did the same last year and had no problems.

[northepaul]

Thanks all

[zazen999]

My pintos went in the ground last weekend, and were fleeced.

However, the tops of some were frosted.

so, if you can keep them somewhere for a couple of weeks, then I'm sure down there they will be fine.

[Alison]

I'm going to sow my French beans on Sunday and the runners went in a week or so ago as they're a bit hardier and will go out slightly earlier.

[Helgalush]

Ooops, I sowed my French Beans about 2 weeks ago and my runner beans (those lovely Hestia ones you sent me - thanks again!) I sowed yesterday!! Keeping my fingers crossed that they grow ok.... The French beans are doing well so far, fingers crossed!

[northepaul]

Thanks again
I am going to be growing some:
Cherokee trail of tears, blue lake and dwarf purple teepee...
Sound ok?!

[northepaul]

Can I also so my runners now then? I thought I had better wait until mid-may just to be sure of the frosts...??

[Liza]

Plant your runners now we will be out of frost danger by the time they are up and hardened off IMO !

[pjh75]

Thanks again
I am going to be growing some:
Cherokee trail of tears, blue lake and dwarf purple teepee...
Sound ok?!

My cherokee went in a couple of weeks ago, and they're up and looking strong so I'd definitely say yes.

[gojiberry]

Plenty of folks have direct sown there runners around here, I'm a bit more cautious and have sown mine in pots.

Ian

[womble]

The first of my dwarf french beans directly sown in the beds have come up today, they are heavily covered in a frost, but I'm absolutely delighted they have germinated, I knew it was chancy.

I don't intend planting my climbing ones out yet, but that may change by tomorrow