tracey i got some nice willow beanstalks cheapish at b ad q, my main problem last year was i didn't support them well enough, used bamboo canes, they were too short and mid august they collapsed,mentioned in another thread i put them outside yesterday only half germinated, interestingly the ones in general purpose compost haven't germinated yet..so maybe i did an unintentional experiment! put in plastic storage boxes andput lids on overnight to protect from mice, though have 3 cats visit garden, hope they put them off too, i bought that mini greenhouse, can't believe haven't managed to unpack and out up, have so little time time can't get round to cutting all parcel tape and plastic off... need to prioritise so pther things come 1st..!
Hi David, the weather here is lovely at the moment 13c day 6c at night but predicted to drop next week to 7c day and -2 night. I'm itching to direct sow some sweet peas , is it too early?
I'm always worried about sowing in the autumn, never managed broad beans. Here in Dordogne the winters are usually colder than in the UK. -10° is quite normal, and we have snow. No protection from the gulf stream! The winter we've just had has been much milder than usual and very wet.
Have you tried Aquadulce Claudia broad beans? Specially bred for autumn sowing (outdoors) and reputedly very hardy. They did alright in the winter before last (which was pretty cold) and extremely well - they're now a foot high - in the one just gone, which was mild. You might try fleece or cloches to keep the worst of the weather off if it's really cold. Worth it for the early crop I think.
Hi David, the weather here is lovely at the moment 13c day 6c at night but predicted to drop next week to 7c day and -2 night. I'm itching to direct sow some sweet peas , is it too early?
Ashleigh - Before answering this, I decided to take a soil temperature reading in my own garden (the Midlands) and it seems to be around 50f (10c) at the mo. *This would be fine for sowing SP seed...if they were to be sown in pots of compost, even more okay.
*Expect seed to surface after 2 or 3 weeks in these conditions.
Hi David.l've decided to grow using the cordon method.l had far too many for the house last year.My seeds are about 6inches tall and have been outside in a sheltered spot for 2 weeks.Can l plant them in the ground now? The roots are growing out of the bottom of the bag.Also when do l start snipping the tendrils off.
Hi, pinkquartet....This thread is rather long now, so I can understand if anyone misses things I have posted. However, I did post a piece on cordon growing on page 23.
I would imagine (if the soil is workable) they could be planted out now.......try to protect against cold winds until they have become established.
Well 2 of the ones I planted out yesterday haven't got eaten but they are broken Oh well, just as well they were only cheap and I have a back up plan!!
Well 2 of the ones I planted out yesterday haven't got eaten but they are broken Oh well, just as well they were only cheap and I have a back up plan!!
Oh dear! Did you support them with a few twiggy bits, Tracy.....and how's the new greenhouse progressing?
Posts
tracey i got some nice willow beanstalks cheapish at b ad q, my main problem last year was i didn't support them well enough, used bamboo canes, they were too short and mid august they collapsed,mentioned in another thread i put them outside yesterday only half germinated, interestingly the ones in general purpose compost haven't germinated yet..so maybe i did an unintentional experiment! put in plastic storage boxes andput lids on overnight to protect from mice, though have 3 cats visit garden, hope they put them off too, i bought that mini greenhouse, can't believe haven't managed to unpack and out up, have so little time time can't get round to cutting all parcel tape and plastic off... need to prioritise so pther things come 1st..!
Hi David, the weather here is lovely at the moment 13c day 6c at night but predicted to drop next week to 7c day and -2 night. I'm itching to direct sow some sweet peas , is it too early?
Have you tried Aquadulce Claudia broad beans? Specially bred for autumn sowing (outdoors) and reputedly very hardy. They did alright in the winter before last (which was pretty cold) and extremely well - they're now a foot high - in the one just gone, which was mild. You might try fleece or cloches to keep the worst of the weather off if it's really cold. Worth it for the early crop I think.
Ashleigh - Before answering this, I decided to take a soil temperature reading in my own garden (the Midlands) and it seems to be around 50f (10c) at the mo. *This would be fine for sowing SP seed...if they were to be sown in pots of compost, even more okay.
*Expect seed to surface after 2 or 3 weeks in these conditions.
Thank you David
Hi David.l've decided to grow using the cordon method.l had far too many for the house last year.My seeds are about 6inches tall and have been outside in a sheltered spot for 2 weeks.Can l plant them in the ground now? The roots are growing out of the bottom of the bag.Also when do l start snipping the tendrils off.
Hi, pinkquartet....This thread is rather long now, so I can understand if anyone misses things I have posted. However, I did post a piece on cordon growing on page 23.
I would imagine (if the soil is workable) they could be planted out now.......try to protect against cold winds until they have become established.
Thanks David will go back and look at it.
Oh dear!
Did you support them with a few twiggy bits, Tracy.....and how's the new greenhouse progressing?