[Njal]

First time growing broad beans (first allotment season, never had space before...).

The packet and the books say I may sow indoors or outdoors in Feb.
I've left it late since I'm fairly northerly but is indoors or outdoors best?

The allotment is still fairly soggy and the other tenants don't appear to have dug their beds yet either.

[Aidy]

I am on tother side of tops, just started mine off. Now the way I do it is a variation on Terry Waltons. I fill a butty bag with damp vermiculite and pop me beans in to pre-chit. Once sprutted I pop them into pots until four leave stage then plant out, which is around second week of march normally. And that is my way.

[fatbelly]

I have sown mine today in Richys paper pots and they will be kept initially in an unheated greenhouse.

Does anyone know how long before they germinate?

[Aunt Sally]

I do similar to fatbelly but prechit them in a lunch box with wet kitchen towel in the bottom.

[Hawkins]

I did my broad beans this week, (2nd season of growing, want to do it betterthis year) never though of pre-chitting, perhaps will try that with my second batch. Thanks guys.

[Njal]

Okay thanks for those replies.

Will probably do them tomorrow then 

[Goosegirl]

Germination time is about 10-14 days at about 15C temp - not too warm. Mine are just breaking through and will go in cold frame soon.

[out4nowt]

Mine germinate indoors in about 3 days, then into the cold conservatory (which slows things down). They continue to grow well but slowly and the odd one cannot take the shock of a temperature change, so it dies.

[Sadgit]

I almost sowed mine today and bottled it So after reading this, I might have a quick sow tomorrow

[out4nowt]

Mine are going in tomorrow
I can't wait any longer and if they fail, then I will plant some more!

[Paul Plots]

My broad beans have been in a few days - thanks to Dad and the warmer weather encouraging him into the greenhouse

The bean trench has been in the same place for years although I've added compost and changed the soil in the past - it's time for a change of place and design. One 'Munty' soon to go up!

Problem is: which way's south?

There are two local village churches - one in South Bersted and one in North Bersted but neither are either north or south of the other. :blink: I was hoping to use these as a rough guide till I checked them out.

I must check out the sun or get a compass!

[Yorkie]

stand there at noon and see where the sun is 

[Sadgit]

My broad beans have been in a few days - thanks to Dad and the warmer weather encouraging him into the greenhouse

The bean trench has been in the same place for years although I've added compost and changed the soil in the past - it's time for a change of place and design. One 'Munty' soon to go up!

Problem is: which way's south?

There are two local village churches - one in South Bersted and one in North Bersted but neither are either north or south of the other. :blink: I was hoping to use these as a rough guide till I checked them out.

I must check out the sun or get a compass!

google maps/google earth.. find your plot and from there it will show north.

[Paul Plots]

Many thanks for your advice Sadgit.....it's helped a lot! :happy:

The plot looks great from above - can't see the line of weeds between last year's row of onions either!!

I think I have it sorted now - problem is the plot lays NNW / SSE so I'll have to decide whether I want a Munty Bean frame on the skew slanting almost diagonally across the plot or whether I'm going to line it up with the edge and encourage the beans to co-operate.

Any advice? 
I feel the beans will follow the strings as they climb even if the frame isn't exactly aligned north / south. What do you think?

[woodburner]

NNW/SSE is so close to NS it really doesn't matter. Some people run their rows EW anyway.
Just line it up. The beans don't grow NS they grow up.