[Sideways]

This will be my first allotment growing season, my plot is dug, fed and ready to go.

Towards the end of last year my plot neighbour told me to help myself to his runner beans and gather the seeds for planting this year. I have kept them indoors, warmish, dry and in a tin and hope to use them when the time is right.

Is there a way of telling if the seed is a healthy one? What success rate should I expect? (have about a hundred of mixed varieties).

When is the best time to put them straight in the ground?

Thanks

[peterjf]

should be 100% sucsess rate , any how they was free , so no probs there ?

[Salmo]

The traditional day for planting marrows and beans outside is rook shooting day. By the time they come up there is not usually any more frost.

[GrannieAnnie]

I always start mine off in small pots in greenhouse, then if any don't germinate.  I take the dead one out and put another in.  or you can germinate them first on damp kitchen paper, covered with another bit, keep warm and dark and after a few days, see which ones have germinated

[Sideways]

Thanks folks.

[GrannieAnnie]

BUT BE WARNED!!!>
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You will probably get 100% germination, then you'll spend the rest of the summer wondering where to put all the runner beans!!!!! lol

[Stevens706]

I also start mine off on damp kitchen paper

[Sideways]

Indeed!

I have only allocated enough space for x24 plants, two rows of twelve  

[Sideways]

Can anyone confirm- when's best to stick the seeds in the ground?

[madcat]

My Dad, who learnt his gardening in Burton, swears it should be May 12th - my sisters birthday.

[mumofstig]

If you're sowing outside then about a week to ten days before your last frost date should be fine.

[Salmo]

The traditional day for planting marrows and beans outside is rook shooting day. By the time they come up there is not usually any more frost.

I have already told you.

[mumofstig]

  rook shooting day. By the time they come up there is not usually any more frost.
 I have already told you.

I've never heard of rook shooting day so I didn't think your post helped much!
Sorry if you took offence none intended

[peapod]

Ive never heard of rook shooting day either, guess we can't know everything 

[Salmo]

It's as good advice as 10 days before the last frost!!!

Rook shooting day was when farmers culled the young rooks. This was when the young rooks were about to fly and sat vunerable on the edge of their nests. Usually about 15th May.

The rooks did not go to waste. When I was a lad the gamekeeper always used to bring my mother a dozen young rooks. Jolly nice they were too baked in a single crust pie and eaten cold.