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runners in polystyrene

Hi all...i have around 2 dozen polystyrene cups standing around...was thinking of sowing a runner bean in each of them to start them off in a non heated greenhouse..would this be possible this early in the year as all info ive gathered says sow seeds around April..2 dozen yes i know thats a lot of runners but just like last year i would give them to friends and family once ive taken my lot.

 

Steve

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Polystyrene cups are perfect, but it's much too early to start them off now.

    They are up in a few days and you can't plant them out until June, they hate the cold. 

    I probably won't start mine until the 1st May, 

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • pompeyboypompeyboy Posts: 98

    Hi Lyn..thank you..thought it might be a tad early but thought i'd ask

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,142

    I agree with Lyn - early May is when I start mine off.

    I don't think two dozen is a lot - I plant at least that many and there's only the two of us image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    We are all raring to go, but don't be in too much rush or you will be disappointed. Theres nothing worse than when you've sown your seeds and they either don't come up or they are very tall, weak and leggy before you can plant them out, sit on your hands for awhileimage

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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  • Mel MMel M Posts: 347

    I use 500g yogurt pots, 3 seeds in each. Works a treat.

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    I wish the GC wouldn't sell these plants so early, they do it with tomato plants as well, very disappointing for new gardeners. 

    I always use root trainers for my beans, one bean in each module. But those polystyrene cups are fine, I use them for lots of seeds.

    2 dozen is not a lot, you'll be fine with those, you may find one or two won't germinate.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • pompeyboypompeyboy Posts: 98

    Thanks all..great help..2 dozen may not seem a lot to you hardened gardeners..but us beginners its a whole forest haha..

     

    thanks again

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