Broad Beans out now??

[mikey]

morning all ....

what are thoughts on 'pre-soaking' Broad Beans before sowing ?

last year I started 40 seeds of 'Crimson Flowered' (a gift from Normanby Hall organic garden ... near Scunthorpe) in a cold Greenhouse, soaked for 24 hrs prior to sowing, about 75% germinated and went on to do well outdoors.

This year am going to try sowing direct in the ground, over next week or two, what are thoughts on 'to soak - or not - to soak'. ?

PS never saw any Black Fly last year, planted Feverfew and Tagetes around Beans ... maybe companion planting helped or just no Black Fly last year  ;D

Mikey

[mikey]

[Hyacinth]

I pre-soak broad beans (or did the one year I grew them....lovely beans but too much space in my garden & besides I didn't get many beans per pod. Felt v. short changed there :()).....anyway, yes, I pre-soak peas and runner beans too. Certainly pre-soaking accelerates germination I've found. I'll be doing the same again this year.

I'm with you on the tagetes!....feverfew? hmmm...you know my feelings on that little thug ;D....pleased to read it has some use in life tho (apart from being pretty).

[MrsKP]

I've not soaked any BBs before and had about 90% germination (mind you I've only sown 20).

I hadn't eaten BBs for years til last year and was just so thrilled that I could eat something from virtually my first thing sown that they are a staple on the plot now !  Must find something extraordinary to do with them this year !

;D

[flowerlady]

...  never saw any Black Fly last year, planted Feverfew and Tagetes around Beans ... maybe companion planting helped or just no Black Fly last year  ;D

Mikey

Boarage also helps to confuse the nasties ... and draws away the black fly  ;)

[mikey]

...  never saw any Black Fly last year, planted Feverfew and Tagetes around Beans ... maybe companion planting helped or just no Black Fly last year  ;D

Mikey

Boarage also helps to confuse the nasties ... and draws away the black fly  ;)

there was heaps of self sown Borage on a bed +/- 6ft away, obviously this all helped.
Also planted Nasturtium, Tagetes and Basil inside the greenhouse, close up to the Tommies, all planted in the border, never saw a White / Green / Black fly, in fact the only beasties we got were Bees, Hoverflies, Wasps, Ladybirds and your ordinary fly ....

shall certainly use same plan again this season

Mikey

[Marymary]

Thanks Mrs KP - I think I'll try & keep the cloches on till after the cold spell which is forecast for Monday.  I shall refrain from pinching out till the nasties arrive.

[MrsKP]

don't forget if they're touching the sides, the frost might get them  (I think).  Chuck a bit of fleece over as well ?   ::)

[Marymary]

Good thinking.  :)

[MrsKP]

lol, see I have "bean" paying attention !

;D

[Marymary]

 ;D ;D ;D