broad beans

[chilli_grower]

I have not grown broad beans before, but have read that they are quite hardy.

I'd like to have a nice long row of them at the allotment

When is generally the most sensible time to sow them in pots in the greenhouse, for planting out early?

Could I plant out say mid - end Feb?

THen maybe put some more in around April?

[Tripmeup]

I sow some direct in ground in November, then some in pots in greenhouse from mid Jan to end Jan, which get planted out as soon as they can fend for themselves, and then finally, direct in ground again in Feb..

[chilli_grower]

ok great, so it seems they can go in the ground nice and early then....

Thank you

[Two_Sheds]

They are very cold tolerant. Aquedulce Claudia is planted outside in Nov, and sits all winter.

I have tried starting them in the greenhouse, but it's a waste of time & compost really, because they can be planted outside in March: you don't really gain anything by an indoor sowing

[BertieFox]

Dates for planting out those in pots depends entirely on the weather. In the UK we never found any problems but in a climate where there is an alternation between very cold and then warm and wet, the small plants have great difficulty in getting through without being hit back and rotting. Assuming the weather continues in the UK (and where we are) as predominantly mild, getting them out as soon as possible should be very successful leading to an early crop, but if there is a sudden cold snap in March, say, after they have made lots of sappy growth, they will suffer and may even be set back more than freshly sown beans later on.
Personally I would take the risk, but have a packet of seeds kept in reserve to sow again if the worst happens.

p.s. Being completely stupid I have even just potted on some climbing French beans today in the polytunnel, gambling that we might just get through to the end of March with no severe frost. (Growing under cover) It would be wonderful to be eating French beans as early as April!

[Two_Sheds]

It would be wonderful to be eating French beans as early as April!

It certainly would !
Do let us know if it works. I start sowing dwarf ones on a south windowsill in mid-March

[chilli_grower]

ok, well thanks for the replies.

Yes winter is very mild so far, but damp.

I might just try a bit of experimentation and see what happens.........

[Jonnyt]

Not a chance, bound to be a cold snap between now and the end of feb


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[out in the cold]

Not a chance, bound to be a cold snap between now and the end of feb


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

Snow forecast up here this week apparently...

[captainhastings]

My beans planted in november are looking good so far

[BertieFox]

Not a chance, bound to be a cold snap between now and the end of feb


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

Just to depress everyone further, the incredibly cold winter of 1947 which brought Britain to a halt with power cuts and everything at a standstill, didn't start until January 21st (Tuesday!) and lasted until the end of March! I wonder how the broad beans did in that year!

[binley100]

You're a bundle of laughs this morning. ..mine survived the late snow we had last year