Planted beans too early?

[esbo]

I have no greenhouse, I sewed some bean seeds Italian Borotti, in March indoor on a window sill.
It was kind of like a germination test, I know nothing about how to grow them, anyway they are getting quite big over 1 foot tall, and I am thinking they will need planting out soon but probably too early.

Just now I looked at the seed pack and it says they need minimum soil temp of 20C so avoid sewing until May!!

So seem like I am in a pickle there!!

I guess I can always sew some more though but will be sad to lose them
I guess I just will have to plant them out when I have to!!

[Spunky]

Don't get attached to seedlings!!!! Be brave throw them in the bin

[Alison]

You are right it is too early, you'll be best having another sowing later but at least you now know that the seed is viable

[Kristen]

I would grow them on and when they are too big to cope with (which will only be a couple of three weeks I expect) then plant them out. IF we get a mild, frost free, Spring you will be ahead of the game ...

... either way sow Backups at the appropriate time

[esbo]

You are right it is too early, you'll be best having another sowing later but at least you now know that the seed is viable

I have a back of 3 type of bean seeds from a pound-shop the year before, I planted them late in what spare space I had, they didn't do very well, the soil is very shallow there.

Those were the only seed pods I gathered, I did not get any seeds from the others, (broad bean and dwarf bean) even though they are perhaps more suited to our climate.


Yes the seeds are good 4 out of 4 so far, no soaking, much better than the last lost which had a 25% success rate if that!!

I have 5 seeds left ( I collect about only 1 or 2 pods).

So should I sow them now or wait a bit? (will be started indoors).

[esbo]

Don't get attached to seedlings!!!! Be brave throw them in the bin

I'm not giving up on my babies

They are going in the ground whatever happens, I may build some sort of lean to cloche to give them a better chance, if they fail fine, there will be more to compost!!

[fishpond]

I have never tried it(I have just thought of it), but it may be worth pinching the tops out to slow them down a bit.

[Knight of Albion]

I'm not giving up on my babies

They are going in the ground whatever happens, I may build some sort of lean to cloche to give them a better chance, if they fail fine, there will be more to compost!!

Yes, a little early, but - much like in life generally - you live and learn.

I would plant the other seed and persevere with these ones. If you get a ground frost, they've had their chips! Though the odds of a ground frost diminish with every passing week.
It can still get very chilly at night in April though. If I get caught out what I do is get some of those blue plastic boxes you get from greengrocers, put a newspaper in the bottom and lean it against the sticks. That will give the plants on the other side some shelter and protection.
Or if too tall for that you can always improvise with something else.

[kris1960]

Why not build a tripod, or other sticky structure, and wrap several times with fleece around the bottom 3 ft and plant beans inside- it might work if weather gods like you!

[Lisasbolt]

Find a big deep pot, (or a couple as you will want to carry them)
Plant your "babies" �� make a tipi with small bamboo sticks, then go put outside when warm enough in the day time and inside at night.
Once it gets warm enough position outside and add some larger sticks, you will hopefully get something rather than nothing.
Good luck

[Alison]

I have 5 seeds left ( I collect about only 1 or 2 pods).

So should I sow them now or wait a bit? (will be started indoors).

Ah, didn't realise you had so few seeds, in that case I agree that you need to try and save your existing plants. Don't sow the others yet, think how quick these have grown, ideally I wouldn't sow for another month yet. I grow loads of these types and eat them as dried beans all winter in chillies, curries etc. they're really good.

[Jungle Jane]

Start hardening up the ones you have grown in a sheltered area away from this wind. I planted some beans out early last year (had to make a cloche tent protection as a wind block but it worked).

[esbo]

Yes, a little early, but - much like in life generally - you live and learn.

I would plant the other seed and persevere with these ones. If you get a ground frost, they've had their chips! Though the odds of a ground frost diminish with every passing week.
It can still get very chilly at night in April though. If I get caught out what I do is get some of those blue plastic boxes you get from greengrocers, put a newspaper in the bottom and lean it against the sticks. That will give the plants on the other side some shelter and protection.
Or if too tall for that you can always improvise with something else.

I have planted another two seeds, will plant some more a little later.

They will be in a very sheltered spot I would say, it's a rather build up area, I make first plant them out in bigger pots and see how it goes.

[esbo]

Ah, didn't realise you had so few seeds, in that case I agree that you need to try and save your existing plants. Don't sow the others yet, think how quick these have grown, ideally I wouldn't sow for another month yet. I grow loads of these types and eat them as dried beans all winter in chillies, curries etc. they're really good.

Well I could always get some more but I have other stuff and lot a lot of space, I think I will have enough, it is more for the experience really to see how they go.

[Alison]

I have planted another two seeds, will plant some more a little later.

They will be in a very sheltered spot I would say, it's a rather build up area, I make first plant them out in bigger pots and see how it goes.

It really is VERY early still to be sowing the beans, you're going to have a couple more large plants to deal with in a few days.