[garddwr]

I will sow my peas direct outside as I won't have to bother with hardening off and planting out e.t.c.I will start my French and Runner Beans in the greenhouse because they are quite tender and a late  frost would probably kill them so I can get them started a little earlier.But what would you do with the Broad Beans  ? Inside or sow direct ?
What would I gain by sowing indoors except a week or 2 ?

Thanks

[Terry]

we sowed our broad beans at the end of Oct 08 outside, and they are now about 6" high despite the rain

[nothinghasdiedyet]

I sow mine around Valentines day in paper pots and in the conservatory because I love them so much 
This year will be the same but in an outdoor lean to greenhouse

[Salmo]

On some plots mice will steal broad beans if you put them in the ground. The signs are neat holes dug where you planted the beans.

At present the ground is too wet to plant and could be for another month.

Broad beans in pots do not need to be inside but put them where the mice cannot find them.

[Celtic Eagle]

Both work but sowing inside is more reliable as well as earlier.

[r1bazza]

Did ours indoors in loo rolls and they are now outside,will plant some more direct as well.

[gregmcalister]

Last year all my pea and bean seeds got eaten by mice so I've started the broad beans indoors a few months ago.

[johndf1]

I sowed mine outside this year, and so far they are doing well, except for some minor damage by maybe rabbits or pigeons.

[crowndale]

Most of mine got eaten by mice last eyar, though around 1/5 of them did eventually surface but every one in a pot survived, so it'll be only pots this year I think!  Same with teh peas, most were eaten by mice when sown outdoors so I'll be doing most in pots again.

[Oscar Too]

Something is eating my outdoor sown beans at the stem.  Should have put some derris down, I suppose.  I'll be sowing indoors to fill the gaps.

[yummy]

Always outside.

First year started em in Feb and had no probs.
Second year started em in November but they either got eaten or went mouldy.
This year started em in November (raised bed under fleece) going good so far.

[Clampit]

I always sow them straight in the ground, I sow aquadulce claudia in November for an early crop and a different variety in March. I loves 'em. Never had any problems with mice or disease in all the years that i've grown them.

[The Thin Blue Line]

Start them indoors in pots then transfer seems to make a better root system..

[Mash Mad]

This year I'm going to start mine of in modules in the green house in the middle of february and then plant out in march. 

[SalJ1980]

I started mine off in the cold frame in October, or maybe it was November, and planted them out about a week ago. They are between about 5-9inches high, the smallest is a bit weedy looking but the rest seem to be doing well. Not too sure how they'll fare when we get frosts, will  just have to wait and see!