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Broad beans

I have just purchased some broad bean and have a couple of questions. I'd prefer not to sow them direct into the ground as I believe there are mice down the allotment.



So could I sow them into small pots outside in my own garden (that way I won't have to harden them off) and then transplant to the allotment?



Or have I left it too late? Ideally I'd quite like to do it tonight.

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  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    ...which you can limit by pinching out the top of the shoot when the flowers start to open.

    Don't use small pots - the root system develops very quickly (remember the bean in the jam jar?) and they'll run out of space.  Use 6" pots at least - but you can just put soil in there I'd think.

    Should get a nice late crop, just when the main ones have finished image

  • MarygoldMarygold Posts: 332

    I always start mine indoors. I've just planted out my first batch and the second is just emerging.

  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575

    Similar pattern of action to Marygold's: my 1st batch is now in flower in their 'cropping' position. The 2nd sowing is still in greenhouse - two seeds in 1 litre deep ex-yoghurt pots (Tesco). *I tend to plant out at 4/5 true leaf stage - else the root development tends to get too tangled for safe separation...Bunyard's Exhibition is the main variety - I've grown used to its habits!

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    Yes - Bunyard's Exhibition is a good reliable variety.  Do you sow in October for an an early crop too?  I use Aquadulce Claudia for that and it always wirks.

  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575

    Steve 309: I tried 'overwintering' "Aquadulce" about 4/5 years ago - semi-disastrous as I had to build an anti-snow frame/ cloche/ shelter [4' x 4' x 20'] against SNOW [3" fall] when the beans were in flower & I feared they would be snapped against solo canes etc already supporting them! * I did get a crop, but it was no earlier than other beans sown indoors in mid February. Hence my current practices...

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