Broad Beans and the Frost and Snow

[redimp]

don't broadies rot like other beans?

[redimp]

[jennym]

don't broadies rot like other beans?

Not once they're well rooted and growing nicely.  ;D...
things only rot when they die... :(

[redimp]

Didn't phrase my question properly.  It was the getting them in when the ground has thawed and they will sit through the cold doing nothing.  Won' the seeds rot in the ground like other beans if they are planted when the ground is too cold - even though broad beans can stand colder than others?

[Derekthefox]

I have often pondered this same question myself ...

Derekthefox :D

[jennym]

They won't rot if they are alive - if you can get them to germinate and start growing properly - that's why some people start then in trays and put out later,  I do if I miss the right time to plant them.
Once growing well (3 - 4" high), they might then die off if the weather is really cold, and the soil waterlogged (which would "drown" the roots) but otherwise seem to do ok. To be honest, I wouldn't put them in my soil now, I'd start in trays if you are doing it now. I reckon the best time to put them in is October.

[Derekthefox]

I have set some off in trays, just so I might have some early ones, but they are Masterpiece Green Longpod, so I don't know if they will do any good ...

Derekthefox :D

[karrot]

Where about in cov are you Derick?
I was brought up in Corley Moor,(lovely village on outskirts) then my dad moved to Radford/Kersley

[Derekthefox]

Lower Coundon karrot, just behind Carbodies ...

Derekthefox :D

[karrot]

Derek,
i went to coundon court school, and my dad worked at the Shepard and shepherdess for years.

[Derekthefox]

Whitley Abbey here, I hark from Willenhall originally ...

Derekthefox ;D

[dandelion]

 I germinated some broad beans indoors and planted them out mid December. The first one has justed started poking through the soil! So they're still alive, yippee!

[John_H]

I went down to the plot today and the first 10 broad beans have just broken the surface of the soil. I planted these in November so with a bit of luck they will be low enough down to avoid a real blasting from winter winds and able to stand anymore snow (we have had a fair bit in Hastings this week).

I lived in Coventry for a while too Derek (just off the Radford Road)

[Derekthefox]

Not that far from me then John, as I live just off the Holyhead Road. On the beans front, I have heard it said that growth wants to be held back now because the winter can otherwise hurt the plants ...

[MaryM]

Do any of you think I have left it too late to plant my broad beans in modules if I keep in a covered place?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Not at all, though I'd wait till the soil's a bit warmer now. If they sit in soil which is too cold for them to germinate then there's the danger of rotting. If I were you I'd wait till it warms up a bit now; I normally plant mine about March.

[MaryM]

Thanks Robert

[Lady of the Land]

Have been to the allotment today and broad beans are just starting to break through. My fathers planted a week or two after mine are showing no signs as yet. We were both admiring a neighbouring plot whoose beans are now small plants all neatly in rows with not one missing.

[flowerlady]

Clearly he had no little miceses digging up the seeds!!  Lost half by Suttons to mice, the other half now safely under milk bottle cloches! ;)

[supersprout]

Don't worry Lady, your lottie neighbour obviously has a secret broadie reserve in his backyard and fills in the holes in his lottie rows when the meeces have their way. Some people eh? ::)  8)

[jennym]

Ooh sprout, you are giving all the little secrets away! :) Afraid I do that too, fill in the gaps from a secret reserve, but it does look so nice and neat... :D