Using those book style root trainers for the first time......

[Richard Eldritch]

For runner beans and sweetcorn. They're alot bigger than modules so how long should they stay in them before planting out?

[snakeshack]

it's up to you,depends when your last frost is (ask god cos no one else knows) and when you planted them.the main advantage of root trainers is the extra depth and the root guides which are supposed to give a healthier root system which is not disturbed when the booklet is opened

[Alison]

Root trainers are of small cross sectional area (smaller than the modules or pots I use) but deeper. I use them for sweetcorn and beans and both stay in them quite happily from sowing to planting out.

[Kristen]

I make newspaper pots (roll a sheet of newspaper around and aerosol can) for Sweetcorn which gives me a nice tall, but narrow, "pot". I then plant it whole. Theory is that this causes less root disturbance, but I see Sweetcorn being sold in conventional pots in Garden Centre all the time so perhaps I am mistaken in thinking that they dislike root disturbance?

The Root Trainers will give you minimal root disturbance too, and a deep root run, and you won't have to faff-about making pots from newspaper

[Richard Eldritch]

Just a quick report on Runners beans in root trainers, I'm amazed with them. Planted them out today and my goodness what a blinding set of roots. Best I've ever done, next up sweet corn in them. I can't recommend them enough.

[WendyC]

Where are you located? Must be somewhere warm to be passed potential frosts. Here, I reckon could be another 5 or 6 weeks of frost threat, and we've even had one well into June at the allotment, which set my potatoes back quite a bit.

[Kristen]

Just a quick report on Runners beans in root trainers, ... Planted them out today

Seems early but I don't know where you are (can you put you location in your Profile pls?)

They hate chilly conditions, and frost will kill them.

[Richard Eldritch]

Seems early but I don't know where you are (can you put you location in your Profile pls?)

They hate chilly conditions, and frost will kill them.

I'm in central London Kristen. Any other year I wouldn't plant out for another month but this year it's so mild I'm going for it. Only a few seeds after all and I've held back half in reserve just in case......

[Richard Eldritch]

Where are you located? Must be somewhere warm to be passed potential frosts. Here, I reckon could be another 5 or 6 weeks of frost threat, and we've even had one well into June at the allotment, which set my potatoes back quite a bit.

I don't let frost threaten me Wendy, I threaten Frost!

[WendyC]

Good luck! Not sown mine yet.

[Richard Eldritch]

Good luck! Not sown mine yet.

Cheers Wendy, I'm only risking it because Londons is so warm at the moment. I wouldn't do it in open countryside....

[Glutton4...]

You can always make a cloche out of a 2L plastic pop bottle - they're very good. I planted my beans out early one year, and made extended height cloches out of pop bottles. Cut the bottom off one, and both top and bottom off another, then a couple of slits in each and they stack up, giving a good deal of height. You can always bung fleece over them at night, too!

[Richard Eldritch]

You can always make a cloche out of a 2L plastic pop bottle - they're very good. I planted my beans out early one year, and made extended height cloches out of pop bottles. Cut the bottom off one, and both top and bottom off another, then a couple of slits in each and they stack up, giving a good deal of height. You can always bung fleece over them at night, too!

Yeah that'll do it Glut. It was clear after the mild winter that spring would be early this year, and as I say it's only a few seeds innit? Plenty of time to fix it if it all goes boobs up,and if it pays off you'r e harvesting nearly two months early. I call it pay back for 2012 when I couldn't sow untill nearly may.

[Kristen]

Any other year I wouldn't plant out for another month but this year it's so mild I'm going for it.

Temperature to date is no indicator of temperature to come, sadly

But I do think it is worth doing some early, as a gamble, 'coz if there is no cold weather you get an early crop.

But sow the backups anyway, at the appropriate time, and give them to a mate / fete if you don't need them

[Richard Eldritch]

Temperature to date is no indicator of temperature to come, sadly

But I do think it is worth doing some early, as a gamble, 'coz if there is no cold weather you get an early crop.

But sow the backups anyway, at the appropriate time, and give them to a mate / fete if you don't need them

Ha! That's true of course, but the benefits of success Vs using a few of those spare seeds? It's got to be winner... ( Oh! how I'll laugh if it snows!)