[davethespread]

i have some aquadulce broad beans,i was going to sow them in the autumn but somebody on our plot said he done that last year, and lost a lot to rodents.

so i thought i would wait until now so do i sow them straight in the ground, or in pots in the cold greenhouse to get them establshed before planting out. any suggestions please

[robinsnest]

I put mine in pots in a cold greenhouse, this worked well last year.

Good luck.

[compostqueen]

I sow mine in toilet rolls and put them in the cold greenhouse, having spragged the window open to ensure some trickle ventilation.

[Salmo]

Mice are not interested in seed once it has germinated so starting in pots is a good option if there is a mouse problem. Mice also get into greenhouses.

As soon as the beans show you can put them in the ground.

[8doubles]

I start them in pots in the greenhouse and plant them out at 6" high. The mice might not be interested when they start growing but the slugs certainly will be.
If i sow direct the slugs eat 50% .

[compostqueen]

I'm growing a red heritage variety again this year and they're expensive so I shall protect them like babies

The Bunyards can look after themselves 

[gillie]

"Mice are not interested in seed once it has germinated"

They are around here!  I have found shoots neatly snipped off and the remainder of the seed gone.  I leave peas and beans in 'mouse proof zones' until they are well grown and the cotyledons are completely used up.

Gillie

[davethespread]

i did sow them in pots last year but you read conflicting interests,although it was later but hoping to do a couple of sowings this years,thanks all,

[Salmo]

gillie

More probably rooks or pheasants.

[gillie]

In the greenhouse?

Gillie

[compostqueen]

the cold greenhouse, that is.  They don't need any heat whatsoever.

[gillie]

"the cold greenhouse, that is."

Yes.  I build a 'mouse free zone' by placing an old door on top of two very large flower pots in the bed that will later grow tomatoes. Any mouse would need rock climbing experience to negotiate the overhang.

If I do not do this mice (or whatever) slice all the shoots off and devour the cotyledons, as I said previously.  I don't think pheasants get in the greenhouse and we don't see rooks.

Gillie

[gillwrig]

I planted mine in Autum in pots in the greenhouse but the frots finished most of them off - they've gone black!

They were Aquadulce ones as well???

[sunshineband]

I planted mine in Autum in pots in the greenhouse but the frots finished most of them off - they've gone black!

They were Aquadulce ones as well???

Mine were Sutton ... and are now horizontal and black too 

[viettaclark]

Feeling quite chuffed because my Aquadulce planted last October and about 6" high have survived the snow and frosts and monsoons.
Need to thin them out now, along with the peas that are also all still there!!
Must be doing something right!