Topic: Protecting Broad Beans from Mice etc

[Kea]

What is the best method of protecting autumn sown Broad Beans from mice? I lost the whole lot last Autumn even though in previous years I didn't have a problem.

Does fleece help or can I sow into modules (outside at home) instead and plant them out like I do in spring?

[realfood]

Put plenty of poison or traps down, preferably all year.

[Jokerman]

I have heard that soaking for few hours in parafin bfore plnting deters mice..... never had a problem though so can't confirm it.



 ;D

[powerspade]

I put a layer of gorse over the top of the seed that seems to work

[jimtheworzel]

i put a strip of chicken wire on
the ground over the sown beans  { 1/2 mesh  }
beans grow though , mice cant dig them up!!
same for peas.

JTW

[tomatoada]

I  start mine off in pots and plant out when about 6-8 inches high.  Gave up planting seeds in the ground a few years ago.   I don't know if it was mice but they just disappeared.  It  is extra work but the first early broad beans are worth it for me.  Then the Spring crop catches up.

[1066]

Another vote for sowing in small pots and modules and then planting out when a few inches high
1066

[tomatoada]

We ladies always know best.

[Jokerman]

Have a mooch..... supports the paraffin theory....   ;D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/gardening/pages/timmy3.shtml

[1066]

We ladies always know best.

 ;D  ;D  ;D

[Digeroo]

Have not had a problem with mice with BB but squirrels seem to love them and can get through any sort of netting.  Found plastic bottles good.  Need to put them in very firmly because they seem to be able to knock them over.

[Kea]

I  start mine off in pots and plant out when about 6-8 inches high.  Gave up planting seeds in the ground a few years ago.   I don't know if it was mice but they just disappeared.  It  is extra work but the first early broad beans are worth it for me.  Then the Spring crop catches up.

So do you still sow in October?

[digmyplot]

Hi

Paraffin is trad method but don't like contaminating the seeds.
I'm going to try coating seeds with cooking oil and chilli next year since I'm told it deters squirrels from eating bird seed.
Chicken wire sounds ingenious, will try this too.
growing over winter reputedly gets them two weeks ahead and suppresses weeds. Not tried it myself, tend not to tend plot regularly in winter.

cheers www.digmyplot.co.uk

[1066]

Kea, if it helps I do mine in pots in Oct and then I do a few more in Jan in pots and more as spring gets going

1066

[tomatoada]

Yes I sow the beginning of Oct.  Toilet rolls are good with  compost.  Put them in my mini greenhouse after clearing the tomatoes.  As soon as they have germinated I leave the flap open.   6-8 inches high plant out under mini polythene tunnel.  Spring or when they reach the top of polythene I remove it.  They don't usually take off until the weather warms up and then they seem to really grow.  Hope this helps.

[Kea]

Thanks that is helpfully. my first two years i just sowed them in the ground in October no problems but last year they were all eaten except two out of 4 rows of 40....very disappointed.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I remember my father using paraffin mixed with red lead from the ironmonger. I doubt whether you could get the latter these days. I just put them in, well buried. It's pigeons and rats I have trouble with, not mice. Once they've germinated, the mice aren't going to be a problem.