Can't get beans to germinate

[Marb67]

I just can't this year get a success of broad and runner bean germination despite trying. I have even sprouted in a sprouter jar but they end up rotting, though kept mouiset and not waterlogged. Peas the same. Not old seeds and kept well.

No idea why but it is a mystery :-(

[roitelet]

Where are you trying to germinate then, outside in the ground or in a greenhouse?

[WilliamD]

Similar here. I've had poor germination rates with several varieties of dwarf french beans this year, both in raised beds and in small starter pots, with good fresh soil and compost all round. Will be trying some more today but it's getting a bit late now ..

[Knight of Albion]

First day of summer, so its now or never realistically.

Have you tried soaking them for half an hour before sowing to 'break' the dormancy? That might help.

Another thing you could try is sowing in trays /pots and then keeping the seed trays/pots in the kitchen. The idea being the warmth and consistency of warmth helps encourage germination.
It has been quite chilly of late. Very patchy weather, that certainly isn't conducive to growing seedlings.

[Yasminh14]

Another thing you could try is sowing in trays /pots and then keeping the seed trays/pots in the kitchen. The idea being the warmth and consistency of warmth helps encourage germination.
It has been quite chilly of late. Very patchy weather, that certainly isn't conducive to growing seedlings.

Yes, I must say I always sow French beans in modules indoors and cover with clear plastic until they come up. I always have a very good success rate. This year have used very cheap seed from Lidl, and almost all germinated. Last year I sowed some as late as end of July and still got a harvest in the autumn, so don't despair, there's still time.


As for broad beans, I only ever grow Aquadulce, which I sow direct in the autumn, and even with the last couple of very wet winters, they've grown very successfully. Never tried spring ones, so can't advise, but would recommend Aquadulce for future attempts!

[Raybon]

Have posted this on another thread, but obviously not seen.
Wet some layers of newspaper, drain.
Lay on tray, spread beans on top.
Lay more wetted newspaper on top.
Tip tray to drain off excess water.
Check beans for sprouting every day, sprinkle water round beans and drain off to keep damp but not too wet, as soon as they sprout (They will! They will!) plant 4 to a pot, roots down. Keep indoors until ready to harden off/plant out.
This has ALWAYS worked for me, got tip from old gardener with a lifetime of experience. Good luck!

[Bigmallly]

I've tried 3 different methods this year & all failed, either no show or have gone mouldy so I'm sticking to the variety that grows in tomato sauce...............

[Marb67]

Have tried paper, soaking and planting in modules in greenhouse. All with no success. Even ones planted in compost that i got to sprout ( mainly peas) never came up or came up pathetic and never got any bigger.

[taff]

Mine have been a bit rubbish this year too, too cold and wet in the greenhouse.

[KittyColdNose]

I have tried around four lots this year and finally managed to get them germinated and out into final positions. This is for all varieties of beans and peas, I really don't know what is happening.

[Marb67]

So it's not just me then. Interesting.

[Alison]

A lot of the problems sound like over watering to me which is leading to the seeds rotting. Once they get going they're very resilient so it's only for the first week or two you need to have a very light hand with the watering can.


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[KittyColdNose]

I have tried them outdoors sown in final stations, pots in coldframes, under cloches and the kitchen windowsill. I only water when they need it and don't keep them wet. The last couple of years have been great for growing peas and beans, this year has been a trial. It hasn't rained that much up here and has been quite mild.

[Raybon]

................so please consider giving newspaper/tray a go!

[kathyd]

I've actually found that mine grow best if I sow them in pots, very shallow, just beneath the surface, and barely keep them wet until they start to grow... I do pre-germinate peas and broadies, but given up pre-germinating french beans because they do seem to rot quickly. I've just successfully pre-germinated some Karmazyn broad beans which I've put into pots until they're a couple of inches high, and the pots are outside not in the tunnel. Climbing beans always do better for me than dwarfies, although this year the dwarf beans are all germinating well touch wood - but it's milder here than in the UK I think, and I'm sure it's mainly temperature that makes the difference... In the past I've never got them going before July! Have another go, and see if you can't keep them a bit warmer until they come through ... good luck, I know how frustrating it all is