[Anton]

Dear Members,

I'm going to try runner beans and broad beans for the first time. I have the frames up, I've soaked the beans overnight and was poised to sow them this morning but a search of this site suggests a tendency to plant in pots beforehand. What do I risk if I sow directly into the ground?

Anton

[DD.]

Slugs!!!

I start in pots so I know that I'm putting out a reasonably sturdy plant at each station.

[Aunt Sally]

If you sow directly into the ground you should put two beas at each position.

[Anton]

Thanks for the replies. You say to put two beans at each station. On the packet it says to put five or six and an old bloke behind me at the gardening centre a couple of days ago, who I got into conversation with, suggested the same thing. Does that sound a bit excessive?

Anton

[Aunt Sally]

It sounds very expensive  :?:   I presume it was because of slugs as you would never need to grow that many at one station.

I prefere doing them in pots as you get a better germination and no slug damage. and only use one bean oer planting station.  I'm using Richy's design of paper post this year.