Greenhouse

My runners are going in next week after the w/e 'cold snap' they have forecast. Still plenty of time to replant if they snuff it  

I was going to sow direct this year, so when should I do this? Thanks

Thanks I will get some in then after the weekends cold snap.

I have a few different varieties in my seed box. Do you think I can sow a mixture or would this not be a good idea because of pollination?

Oh goodie - I will give it a go this year then. Thanks for that, i'm so looking forward to lovely runners!

Mixtures are fine for this year.

But if you save seed for next year they may not grow the same , as the bees will have mixed them up

I always find his idea of saving your own seed for next year interesting.

Bees forage up to 1.5 miles from their hive, and will concentrate on one flower source at a time. So if the bees are coming to your allotment they are going to visit all the runner beans around, including your neighbours. So unless everyone in the area is growing the same varieties then they are going to be cross pollinated anyway.

I planted half saved seed and half new from the packet (the first for 5 years) last year.

The saved mongrel seed gave a slightly better yield than the `proper` stuff.