sowing beans

[fbgrifter]

Hi,

i am just about to make a start at sowing my french beans.  i bought lots of different varities this year and have almost a 800 to sow.  400 now, 400 next month.  question is, what do other people sow their beans in?  i need something obviously deep, and cheap (but not toilet rolls...don't have enough saved up so keeping them for sweetcorn).  any ideas?

[fbgrifter]

[SMP1704]

I use the Sunday Times, scissors and Pritt Stik.  Cut the paper into loo roll lengths and loosely roll up, so that you have enough planting space in the middle.  Glue down the outer strip to hold everything in place.  Use them for my peas and sweetcorn and will be for the beans.

but 800 beans, who are you feeding??

[tim]

These are free, & accommodate 50-100 each??

[Merry Tiller]

You could try sowing them in the ground ::)

[tim]

Sowing Directly Outside
French Beans are sub-tropical in origin, and for this reason need a minimum soil temperature of 16C (60F).

[Merry Tiller]

Hmm, cloche???

[Motherwoman]

The ground will be too cold for french beans to germinate yet,they like it warmer. I've aqiured over the years those 6 packs that they sell bedding in by begging them from people who buy bedding instead of growing it! They work well,being cells about 6cm across and I plant out at the first 'true leaf'stage.

[OllieC]

yes, but really, 800?

[Merry Tiller]

Sounds like a commercial enterprise

[cookie]

sowed all my french beans in the ground in May, no problems.We are in Somerset so perhaps we are a bit warmer. Are you planning on freezing loads?

[supersprout]

These are free, & accommodate 50-100 each??

The guy who delivers spent hops to our site brings as many as we can use. They are amazingly useful - seed trays, greenhouse shelving, carry boxes, for weeding and harvesting. Highly recommended!

[keef]

I always put mine straight in the ground.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Start them in trays now, put them in the ground when they've got a couple of true leaves. If you put the cloches in place now, the ground should be well warm by that time.

[Curryandchips]

Mine are started off in trays of compost in the greenhouse, so the germinated plants can be picked out and potted up, then planted outside when warmer.

800 sounds a bit excessive to me for a family supply, and would occupy about 200 sq yds at my estimate (4 per sq yd).

[Merry Tiller]

Yup, i sow about a dozen every 3 weeks until my runners are ready

[glow777]

French Beans are sub-tropical in origin.......

I thought they came from France!

[fbgrifter]

i like beans...what else can i say?  some for feezing others for drying.  i reckon it should be enough for a year's supply.   ;D 

block planting i have 10 sq metres, and my calculations make this more than ample (tho no doubt i could be wrong and others will disagree)  can't direct sow really as it still freezes here overnight until mid-june. 

TIM>>  i like those trays you use ...where did you get them from?

[tim]

Somerfield supplier's mushroom trays. Great because they stack.

[fbgrifter]

you just go into somerfield and ask (not that i even know where there is a somerfield near here...but i'll find one)???

[glow777]

Your nearest Sommerfield is in Buxton. But these trays are everywhere. Ask at any greengrocers etc. I know your local Tescos at Whaley Bridge have them.