How should I treat these peas and beans?

[Sylvan]

I have some Jacob's Cattle, Cherokee Trail of Tears, Butter Beans, Blue and White Beans and Carlin peas.

I'm pretty certain the carlin is handy because the one that went through the washing machine has spent a few fairly cold nights outside and still looks perfectly happy, but I can't find any info on the others.

I sowed some Jacob's Cattle last week, for early beans. I was going to put 5 in a Morrisons' bucket but they look far too big (they're not the beans Jack planted are they?) so I think it will have to be 1 per bucket.

What is the normal sowing time for them (and all the rest) please?

[Alison]

I grow Trail of Tears but won't be sowing them until mid April at the earliest as you can't put them out until after the frosts and I don't want them to get too big before then. This is basically true for all French type beans although I do have some dwarf ones (Crystal Ice) in root trainers for being forced in the polytunnel.

[Sylvan]

Thanks Alison. I'll be patient then. (Good thing probably, since I don't have much windowsill space left)

How big do they grow please?

[Alison]

Not sure about the others as I've not grown them but the Trail of Tears are tall ones which I usually stop at about 6 or 7ft.

[Sylvan]

Do they use tendrils to cling to the supports or will I have to tie them up?

[SarzWix]

The tall beans wind themselves round cane or string, although they sometimes need to be tied on at first until they start to wind.

[taff]

do you leave carlin peas dry on the plant or pick, shell and dry?

[Sylvan]

Thanks Sarah.