broad bean seedlings

[simon180399]

Good evening, I have sown 24 broad beans 2 weeks ago (when we thought spring was finally here) in toilet roll tubes that have been cut in half, they now have above the surface stem/foliage that's about 2-3 inches tall, the roots have come out of the bottom of the tubes.

I was planning on planting them outside this week but the forecast for the next week is cold and frosty, I know they are hardy but as its the first time I have grown them, the last thing I want is for the frost to damage them, do I need to transplant them into larger posts now or will they be ok for another week or two or until it starts to warm up a bit, at the minute they are in the kitchen on a work top.

thanks simon

[Ananke]

Mine are in a cat litter tray and are about the same height as yours. I have mine sitting outside in the cold to try and stunt their growth a wee bit until the bed is ready so they will be staying put for the next week or two.

[Aberdeenplotter]

the cat or the beans ?

[rustylady]

I was planning on planting them outside this week but the forecast for the next week is cold and frosty, I know they are hardy but as its the first time I have grown them, the last thing I want is for the frost to damage them, do I need to transplant them into larger posts now or will they be ok for another week or two or until it starts to warm up a bit, at the minute they are in the kitchen on a work top.

Don't repot, but stand them outside during the day if it's not actually frosty. This will get them accustomed to outside temperatures (known as hardening off) before you actually plant them out.

[simon180399]

Don't repot, but stand them outside during the day if it's not actually frosty. This will get them accustomed to outside temperatures (known as hardening off) before you actually plant them out.

If the bloody rain ever stops (82mm in 36 hrs) then that sounds like a plan, still it could be worse we could have snow like most of the country has right now.

[rustylady]

Seen it on the news Simon. My brother and sister still live down there, near Plymouth.

[simon180399]

Seen it on the news Simon. My brother and sister still live down there, near Plymouth.

we are not too bad here but its coming down quite heavy now and has been for a few hours, cornwall has borne the brunt of it though, i believe your area may get a dusting of the white stuff tomorrow.

[Two_Sheds]

at the minute they are in the kitchen on a work top.

If you plunge them from the warmth of the kitchen into the blustery coldness of a March garden, they are going to protest.

You should be hardening them off (even though they're hardy plants, they will appreciate it), which means to gradually introduce them to the outdoors: put them outside for a few hours each day, increasing the length of time, for about a week, before they go outdoors permanently.

Ditto for everything.