[Sassy Lassy]

Last question for tonight, must get on with the T.  My runner beans a trying to escape, they are about  10 inches high.  I have them in a plastic  mini greenhouse.  When do you think it would be safe to plant them in the lottie?  I think my grandfather use to say about May ish - well only a week before the beginning of May do you think that is a bit early?

When is everyone else planning to plant their runners? :?

Great forum - I've learnt loads - lets just hope I can put into practise what I have learnt.

Sassy Lassy

[Yorkie]

If I recall what I read in John's book (   ), runner beans are not frost hardy.  You therefore shouldn't plant them out until after the last frosts.  Up here in Yorkshire that's generally the end of May.  It may be a little earlier in Oxfordshire.

However, if you absolutely have to plant them outside sooner than that, take care initially to harden the plants off (gradually exposing them to outdoor temperatures during the day, then also at night) before you plant them.  Then ensure that if a frost is forecast, you protect the plants with fleece or some such stuff.

[DD.]

Yorkie's right - one smell of a frost & goodbye beans.

I think you were a little early, mine are in the greehouse, but not through yet. All you can do is as yorkie suggests.

[Sassy Lassy]

Thanks, I think I might germinate some more, just in case things to terribly wrong.

[DD.]

Thanks, I think I might germinate some more, just in case things to terribly wrong.

If you need more seed, please PM me.

[compostqueen]

I lost a whole crop of beans, courgettes etc to frost  on 4th and 5th June year before last so now plant the second week in June. I'm up North though

[Sassy Lassy]

Thanks DD.  I have still got quite a lot myself, but thanks everso for the offer.

Sassy Lassy

[yummy]

I lost runners to frost mid June last year (midlands).

Therefore I haven't even started mine off yet.

[mashbintater]

One of my container growing runner bean seedlings has just emerged and it's white, seems a sturdy seedling. Admittedly the seeds expirey date is 2007 but I thought they'd be ok and be worth a try, um, what do you think? :?  Thanks anyone

[weeeed]

Glad I'm not the only goof ball sassy! Mine are taking over my mini greenhouse too. I am going to start again today and hope the weather improves. :oops:  

[shaun]

mine have just popped up in there pots in the greenhouse and wont be planted out till the 1st week in june

[fatbelly]

mine have just popped up in there pots in the greenhouse and wont be planted out till the 1st week in june

Same here.

[Sharkwatch]

Mashbintater,

I have heard of the occasional white seedling or albino seedling before but I think it is a very rare event. Unfortunately these albino plants cannot gain energy from sunlight so once the energy from the seed itself is spent the seedling dies.

Hopefully your seedling is just white due to recent sprouting in the dark and will turn green and flourish with some sunlight.

Good luck,

Sharkwatch.

[mashbintater]

thanks Shark, sorry I forget your name, it had literally just poked it's tip through so hopefully you're right. I checked the other one in the pot but that one had split in half so I've planted another one in it's place, we'll see.

[kezlou]

Oops me thinks i've planted mine outside far too early.
 I put mine outside when they were about 5 inches high in containers pots on Wednesday last week and they are doing well, they now about 10 inches high.

 Think i'll plant some more just to be safe.

 Known us lot in the north it will start snowing next week  :x  :evil: