Please remind me!

[Nicos]

I've got about 30 broad beans hardening off outside in an open blowaway overnight.
I need to plant them out in the next couple of days- but they've gone quite leggy !

I'm sure I can plant them deeper ( like you can with tomatoes)...but up to how deep? The first set of leaves are about 7" above the soil line.(The top growth looks good and 'chunky')

I'd prefer to plant them as deep as poss if there is a choice so the roots are further away from the surface ( thinking drought conditions here folks).
So is planting to the base of the first set of leaves going to cause the stem to rot or will they be fine?
( Normally we sow the seeds directly into the soil- so tis is rather new to me!)

thanks for your advice!

[Capsid]

Mine have gone floppy too but new shoots grow up from the base anyway. I'm not sure what happens if you plant them deep. I get beans in the end, perhaps you could try half deep and half normal?

[Nicos]

...and half half way????

They'll shoot up from the base will they if I plant them at the same soil level?

[Aberdeenplotter]

So is planting to the base of the first set of leaves going to cause the stem to rot or will they be fine?

I honestly don't know as mine have always been planted out before getting to the straggly stage but of course this is a funny season. My own inclination would be to plant alternate plants deep and to stake the others. I tie in my show beans using electrical cable ties, but used back to front so that the ratchet part isn't engaged so the ties can be opened and repositioned when needed.

[Nicos]

How deep is 'deep' AP?

[zazen999]

Up to the first leaves.

[Nicos]

It's a windy spot ( yeh...I know!)
maybe I should plant them all to their first set of leaves then?

[zazen999]

I would, well - I do! Everything goes in to first true leaves.

[Nicos]

Everything????...really? Corrr!
No stem rot???

Gosh- I must become more brave with my techniques!

Glad you lot are here to help!
ta muchly

[zazen999]

Yup - everything that seems to have true leaves.

[VirginVegGrower]

Up to the first leaves.

I agree, last year I had a tray go leggy, so I buried them up to their first leaves, to no detriment.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I'll bow to the knowledge of those who do it as practice. (I can't get the blame that way )

[roitelet]

I would give them some protection from the wind as well it does more damage than the cold, a bit of fleece is better than plastic. I have stopped sowing in pots as I find I get better results by direct sowing.

[Nicos]

I think I'll get some more fleece then roitelet- I've only just realised that these aren't dwarf ones!

[roitelet]

Oops!!!!!!!! You will need to give them some sort of support then.