[Beetroot queen]

My first batch failed so I changed compost and now my second batch is on day 6 and no sign of life either. Should I ditch the seeds. They are last years pack. Or should I give a few more days. They are in the cold frame 

[ryetek]

Give them a few more days. Mine were sown on the 27th April and are just coming through now. They're also in a cold frame.

[Beetroot queen]

Give them a few more days. Mine were sown on the 27th April and are just coming through now. They're also in a cold frame.

Brilliant will wait and see, didn't want to sow more and end up with millions of them, there is such a thing as too many runner beans  I am not a huge fan but everyone else loves them

[ryetek]

You could always have a root through the compost in one of the pots and see if the seed has germinated if you are worried that you may have duff seed.

I should also point out that my seed packet was opened and used last year too so it's pretty much the same circumstances. 

[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

Mine took 3 weeks outside, and about 5 days inside.

[JayG]

Are they white or purple seeds?

Apparently some people (including me) sometimes find the white ones a bit less reliable (although the flowers are said to set better in hot weather.)

Mine are saved "White Lady" and because of that I soaked them for 24 hours, then chitted in a sandwich box on a piece of barely damp kitchen paper (they may well rot if they are wetted more than that.)

80% germinated within 3 days (tiny white roots appearing) and are now potted up in paper pots - you may like to try the same to at least be sure they are viable.

[simonwatson]

You could always take a couple and stick them in a tub with some damp kitchen paper and see if they germinate. Stick it on a north facing windowsill so it doesn't cook and if they're viable they'll show some life in only a couple of days.

[Beetroot queen]

Purple seeds called enorma I think, may bring one tray inside and have a poke in another see what is going on

[seaside]

I've used runner seeds 3 years old with no problems. My home brew runners have just surfaced after 10 days, my borlottis after 12, and that was in a reasonably warm greenhouse fortnight.
I was never a fan of the rather large runners but then I was introduced to the idea of podding the beans like broad beans. Foe some reason I had never done it.
I was hooked, they're fantastic cooked in stews.
So the young stringless beans get harvested and eaten whole nice and early on a regular basis and then I leave the remainder to be podded, blanched and frozen much like broad beans for use well into the new year.

[Salmo]

You could always take a couple and stick them in a tub with some damp kitchen paper and see if they germinate. Stick it on a north facing windowsill so it doesn't cook and if they're viable they'll show some life in only a couple of days.

Nice warm airing cupboard would be better/quicker

[Beetroot queen]

You could always take a couple and stick them in a tub with some damp kitchen paper and see if they germinate. Stick it on a north facing windowsill so it doesn't cook and if they're viable they'll show some life in only a couple of days.

Nice warm airing cupboard would be better/quicker

Haha hubby just replied " huh have they seen our airing cupboard "  always raining on the parade mr bq
Thanks peeps will let you know

[Lulu]

I have had 50% growth on my beans so far, a little root through the compost has found some firm seeds getting bigger and some soft seeds doing nothing so I will replant this weekend.  For me I always seem to drown a couple of seeds every year - then I plant extra to compensate and end with a bean mountain!