[greenhead]

Hi All, I thought this Bean was Hardy!!  Went down to the Allotment yesterday 1st time since Christmas and found all had gone!  Just before Christmas they were about 2" through.  Question- should this variety stand the cold weather we have had?  Re sowed - under cover this time - hope they survive.

Any cold weather tips.

[Aunt Sally]

Mine all look dead too.  10 inches of snow was too much for them.

I've been told by the 'old boys' to leave them as they may well throw up new shoots but I'll be sowing some more in the very early spring anyway.

[scabs]

It's been a particularly bad January, so I suppose its to be expected. When I last checked, mine were looking pale but still fairly sturdy... not looking forward to seeing them this week, mind. 

Still, plenty of time...

[strangerachael]

I have lost all but about 8 - I can't remember which variety they were but they were supposed to be an autumn planting sort. That must be based on an 'average' winter - the one we're having doesn't feel very average to me and I suppose there is always an element of risk when planting in autumn. I've never sowed in spring before but will have to now...   

[noshed]

Mine seem OK

[Loubs]

Lost another one to birds/mice/slugs last week ... but of 10 planted back in October, about 5 remaining. The replacements growing in the mini-greenhouse will go in to fill the gaps as soon as weather allows....

[supervegman]

i sowed the sutton and put cut down coke bottles with small holes in the top and they are fine...so far

[Snoop]

Sorry to hear you've done badly. I'm a novice at everything and am trying this variety for the first time. I started off thinking they weren't that great at withstanding bad weather, but in fact despite the total squashing they got by 50 cm of snow, they've survived. I snapped off the broken or really damaged bits and they've recovered, just about, with new shoots coming up. If you don't need the patch of soil just yet, maybe you could try leaving them in the ground to see how they do.

I've tried broad beans twice so far but had a negligible crop both times. I don't know if it's because of big bees making backdoor entrances in the flowers or earwigs and ants eating the flowers. Either way, I've had loads of flowers and nigh on zilch beans.

[scabs]

I'm a novice too and I went completely the opposite way - broad beans are just about the only successful crop I had last year!

Just goes to show.

[strangerachael]

The replacements growing in the mini-greenhouse will go in to fill the gaps as soon as weather allows....

That's a good idea - I might get a few going in pots in the greenhouse so they are ready to plant out as soon as it's a bit warmer

[cornishgirl]

I really sympathise, I had a kilo of seed planted in the autumn - the pidgeons had the lot! Still its not too late to get ahead of the spring sown crop. Try chitting them in a greenhouse or cool room now, and plant out when they are 3 - 4 ins tall.

[Shadrak]

I tryed Aguadulce they have been in for about 8 weeks was looking good  till the snow came only 2 plants still standing last count but they have black marks over them now looking good...

[Elcie]

The ones in the front garden look like they might survive but my allotment ones are basically gone.  I will leave them and see what happens.  Grew them fine last year but I guess the very severe weather was just too much even for winter hardy plants.

[8doubles]

I lost 50% or more of autumn planted aquadulce.......3 years in a row.
I always spring plant them now, problem solved and seed and money saved.

[stentman]

Mixed results from my autumn planting here in the midlands as well. They got to around 8" high before the snow/frost hit them. I reckon at least 30% have had it and most of the others are blackened to some degree. They may recover but a spring resow looks favourite.