[Etherelda]

I've germinated my broad beans in 2 inch pots, I have 40 plants. Everyone else seems to be plonking the beans straight into their beds.


Will mine die a pathetic death from cold once planted out? I've got some shower panels for them to live under over the winter.

I was going to plant them out in a couple of weeks time.

[scabs]

Mine went straight in the ground in Mar/Apr, my mate does his in pots in Feb/Mar...

We both had bumper crops!

Not sure how you'll go on over winter in pots though...

[Etherelda]

I'm hoping to plant them out of the pots and into my soon to be dug over beds in a week or two.

What I'm unsure about is that if you plant the beans straight into the soil now, will they germinate now, or lay dormant until the spring, when it warms up a bit?

[scabs]

I think (and I've not done it myself yet) that they lay dormant and begin to germinate in Feb... I suspect your plants may suffer if exposed to frost, snow, wet ground and high winds...

Of course, I am sure someone will have a much better answer... DD probably, but he's on his hollibobs... again.

[Spana]

Only thing  I can add is I had the best crop of broad beans ever this year from self set seed from last years crop. The seed must have got into the soil when i was clearing up for the winter  and sat there until spring.  The plants were twice the size of the normal spring sown ones.  What about starting to harden them off now so that when you have the land ready they will be used to the outside temp.

[noshed]

I'll sow some soon - they usually reach about 6"-8" high and then stop over winter. Then they start again in the spring. Aquadulce are the ones to get for overwintering.

[sunshineband]

I planted seeds in the rgound this week -- that's what it said on the packet, so I did it  

[Salmo]

The thing to avoid is letting the plants get too leggy. Keep them outside. Mice are good at stealing bean seed and this is a good reason to start off in pots.

The beans should just be visible above ground before Winter gets here. End of October is early enough for planting. Beans planted now risk being too soft a stand any hard weather. No covering needed, they are tough.

[Jodie A]

For the autumn sown ones, I tend to put them straight into the ground, as they will grow to the conditions offered by our unreliable weather.  Any started off in pots now will get a false sense of security, so could succumb to harsh winter conditions.  The best protection you can give the autumn sown ones is against gales, so a bit of perspex (18" high should do) will give them an edge to make them strong for an early crop.

Spring sown ones are started off in pots, and planted out when about 4" tall.

[Elcie]

I planted mine in toilet roll holders last autumn and put them out when they were about 3" high.  They grew well and I had a brilliant plot.  I agree that they need protection from wind, although I must admit I didn't do this, however I wouldn't have thought they need cold frame-like protection as they are pretty hardy.

[Ice]

I'm a plonker too. 

[Etherelda]

thanks everyone, i'll harden them up and see how they get on. At the end of the day, if they fail, I can always stick more in during the spring!


I feel daft being exited about my wee little beansprouts, as they are my favourite veggie. ummmmmm. Broad beans, roast tatties and spring lamb, with mint sauce. ummmm.

[johnfh]

Started mine in fibre pots last year and planted out (pots and all, split) once they were a couple of inches high (in late October) and they did fine.  Having said that I put in a few in early spring to fill the odd gaps and couldn't really tell the difference by the time they started producing.  I do like to start them off inside though so that you know how many you've got and avoid some of the many hazards faced by those put straight in to the open ground. I agree Aquadulce seems to be the choice for overwintering but I'm not knowledgeable enough to know whether there are any alternative varieties available - perhaps one of you experts could advise?

[Paul Plots]

Aquadulce are the ones most people seem to use for over-winter and Salmo's advice is spot on I reckon.

Spring sown seeds very often catch up with an over-wintered crop as they don't have to cope with winds which can damage taller plants and knock them back.

Try a few of each, maybe? 

[scabs]

y intention was to overwinter a couple of rows and then put a couple more in in spring, and lengthen the harvest; if they catch up like you say, I'm wondering if it's worth it?