Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: LilacSandy on December 10, 2011, 09:13

Title: Big Broad Bean Plants
Post by: LilacSandy on December 10, 2011, 09:13

Hi,  I planted 'The Sutton' a few weeks ago into plastic coffee cups and I have had about 95% germination.

The plants are in my unheated greenhouse but are now about the size I would be expecting to plant out next March.  Can you please advise me what to do with them, should I leave them where they are in the expectation that the weather will change and they will slow up growth, or should I plant them in the lotty.  They are about 4" tall, quite bushy with glossy green leaves and thick white roots.  I would not be able to cover them all with clouches and as my site is very exposed to the winds it is not practiable to cover them with fleece.

Title: Re: Big Broad Bean Plants
Post by: BabbyAnn on December 10, 2011, 19:47

Quote

I would not be able to cover them all with clouches and as my site is very exposed to the winds it is not practiable to cover them with fleece

As you have grown them in the greenhouse, personally I don't think it would be wise to try and plant out now especially with winter setting in proper and forecasts of strong winds.  If the greenhouse is unheated, then they should slow down - could you perhaps put them in a cold frame instead and just close the lid when the weather gets bad?

Title: Re: Big Broad Bean Plants
Post by: LilacSandy on December 10, 2011, 20:53

Thanks BabbyAnn,

I think you are right, I do have a cold frame doing nothing at the moment so I may move them to the lotty and cover them with it.