broad bean germination

[chilli_grower]

I sowed some broad beans in pots 2 weeks ago in the unheated g/h.

THey have not made an appearance yet

How long do they take!!!!!!!!

[Dorothy rouse]

2 more days.

[Bren In Pots]

Check underneath the pots/loo rolls if you can because I find that the roots appear first.

[veggiechicken]

Check the bottom of the pots for signs of roots.
I start mine in a ziplock bag of compost in the kitchen. You can see the first roots appear and pot them up them. Works with all large seeds - peas, beans etc.

[Alison]

I always start mine in a cool conservatory and they germinate in a few days. Have now moved them into the cold greenhouse where they are growing on well. I find they take too long at this time of year if I put them in the greenhouse to start with and germination is more erratic.


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[RaptorUK]

I sowed some broad beans in pots 2 weeks ago in the unheated g/h.

THey have not made an appearance yet

How long do they take!!!!!!!!

I did a test sowing of 2 Broad Beans in pots in my unheated greenhouse on the 15th Nov, they first showed above ground around the middle of December.

The test Winter Field Beans I planted in the greenhouse on 12th January didn't show until the 16th Feb.

The Broad Beans I planted in the ground at the allotment on 12th December didn't show until 28th Jan.

So you may have to wait a little longer than 2 weeks

[chopper_j]

Is it a good idea to start planting broad bean / climbing French seeds now for going out at the beginning of May??

[chilli_grower]

Hmm, I am going to sow some more this weekend and leave them in the house in the warm!

[WendyC]

French beans grow quickly and are very tender. I don't sow mine til mid to late April for going out late May to early June. They really sulk if too cold. Assuming you are UK based I'd say it was too early. Perhaps you could add your location to your profile for a more accurate answer.
Broad beans are much hardier so could be sown now, but as I don't grow them can't comment more than that. Someone else will have a suggestion.

[chopper_j]

French beans grow quickly and are very tender. I don't sow mine til mid to late April for going out late May to early June. They really sulk if too cold. Assuming you are UK based I'd say it was too early. Perhaps you could add your location to your profile for a more accurate answer.
Broad beans are much hardier so could be sown now, but as I don't grow them can't comment more than that. Someone else will have a suggestion.

Thanks Wendy, may get a couple of broad bean plants sown this weekend then, location added

[Kristen]

Is it a good idea to start planting broad bean / climbing French seeds now for going out at the beginning of May??

Broad Beans yes, and they are hardy so can go out once weather is kind and soil is ready. My seed packets say Feb/March for sowing outside (February with cloches perhaps), although I prefer to raise in pots and then plant out. A variety like Aquadulce will survive being out for the winter, so could eb sown in November.

Climbing French (and Runners) grow very quickly, so would be a nightmare to look after (height / length-wise) before they can be planted out. Both are tender, so cannot go out until after last frost, and hate the cold - so perhaps mid to end of May would be the time to plant out, and a month before that would be the earliest I would sow. Another approach is to sow some early, and let them take their chances outside. If we have a corker of a Spring then you'll have early beans, if not then your second batch can replace the ones killed by the frost

[bario1]

Thanks Wendy, may get a couple of broad bean plants sown this weekend then, location added

You'll need more than a couple, chopper. I'd sow at least 16 in a double row if you want to get a few meals out of them....

[sammy_roser]

Last year I planted three and got a salad out of them, this year I've planted 7 as that's all space will allow for now

[binley100]

I always start mine inside then throw into the greenhouse once germinated...

[Dorothy rouse]

I've planted all mine out on Plot now, The Sutton,about 3 weeks ago and Red Epicure this week, all germinated at home first, were about 4/6 inches when planted out, hope all ok, I did also net them, just in case pigeons took a fancy.