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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: marcusexeter on May 09, 2010, 13:47:43

Title: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: marcusexeter on May 09, 2010, 13:47:43
hello
I'm in the south of devon - I fancy planting my beans today - what do you think?
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: amphibian on May 09, 2010, 14:07:04
Quote from: marcusexeter on May 09, 2010, 13:47:43
hello
I'm in the south of devon - I fancy planting my beans today - what do you think?

In a typical year now would be just fine, but this year is not warm

You are probably in the best position to judge.

What has your weather been like and what is the forecast? How warm is your soil? We still have frosts forecast in the coming week, and it is unlikely to reach double figures in the day, let alone at night. Can you start them off in pots instead of sowing straight out?

Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: willowman on May 09, 2010, 14:25:32
Hi, You should be fine now. By the time the plants emerge the chances of any frost should have long gone. I am supposing you are sowing seeds and not planting out young plants? If that is the case, best to harden them off in a cold frame and then plant them out at the end of the month or plant them in situ and protect with some loose fleece. Hope this helps you.
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: Trevor_D on May 09, 2010, 15:36:52
Exeter is probably slightly warmer than London, but here the answer is a definite NO.

I've just got back from the lottie - to water stuff in the greenhouse, not to do any outdoor work - and there were a couple of folk planting out runners, but they looked very sad & yellow. (The plants, that is, not the people; although one or two of them did look a bit "got at" by the weather, too....)

I sowed mine in modules today.
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: Georgie on May 09, 2010, 17:35:56
I sowed my Runner Bean seeds direct into a large container today.  We are past our last frost date here and they will take a week or so to emerge so I reckon they'll be fine.  I wouldn't put plants out (if I had them) just yet, weather is a bit too chilly.

G x
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: GodfreyRob on May 09, 2010, 17:54:51
Mine were sown yesterday in pots in the greenhouse. Its cold here in Wharfedale at nights so won't plant them out for a week or two yet - even then I will put a cloche over them.
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: laurieuk on May 09, 2010, 18:07:45
I start my runner beans in pots a few at a time in the greenhouse so that I get beans over a long period. I planted the first plants out last week and will plant some more at the end of this week. I have some fleece nearby just in case of severe weather. I planted the last ones last year on July 27th and went on picking well into September. You can see them on my little website.
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: debster on May 09, 2010, 19:02:05
hi marcus i am in exeter too mine are indoors on the window sill i shall be putting them out in my plastic greenhouse tomorrow to harden off it is bluddy cold here at the mo dont you think??
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: cornykev on May 09, 2010, 19:59:26
I sowed some of  my runners yesterday and french last week, I'm in London and I'm sure its a tad warmer where you are Marcus, I sowed the seeds not planted out mind, as the posh bird said by the time they come through they should be OK. ;)     ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: Alimo on May 09, 2010, 20:18:50
I planted mine out last week - I'm in west cornwall, so much warmer than the rest of you (or should be).  They did look fine, but have started to sulk a bit  - they really don't like this cold north wind, so I'm hoping the warmer weather forecast for this week will perk them up.

I also sowed a bean alongside each plant - and will probably start some more off in the greenhouse in a week or so - we do love our runners  ;D

Alison

Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: Georgie on May 09, 2010, 20:21:58
Quote from: cornykev on May 09, 2010, 19:59:26
...as the posh bird said by the time they come through they should be OK. ;)     ;D ;D ;D

Do you mean me?   :o  I'm no Peterboro' fan you know and btw (forgive the aside) there was no footie today.   ;)

G x
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on May 09, 2010, 21:54:39
Quote from: Georgie on May 09, 2010, 20:21:58
there was no footie today.   ;)

G x

Yes there was G  ;)

My runners are still in the greenhouse, all up, but they'll be there till the end of next week

Ninny
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: landimad on May 09, 2010, 22:44:20
Mine are all in the ground sown direct, I just have to wait for them to show their heads or the dog digs them up. Two ranks of painted ladies with some in reserve. Freezer waiting for them when they come along.
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: Philbasford on May 10, 2010, 10:57:18
Mine have been out for a week or two, will fleece up tonight though,
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: slowfood on May 13, 2010, 22:11:20
I'm in Essex, I planted out last week. They have been hit by the frost this week. Not sure if they will recover. So probably you should wait a bit. 
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 13, 2010, 23:16:18
One of my neighbours has a row of runners out, with fleece fixed to the poles to protect it. The beans look OK, despite the cold nights we've been getting.
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: mpdjulie on May 14, 2010, 07:33:03
I was stupidly impatient.  I sowed mine early and planted them out a week ago.  Heard about the impending frosts so wrapped fleece around the teepees but apparently not enough as I went over to water in the greenhouse last night and they are all dying due to frost damage.  Guess I am going to have to sow some more in the greenhouse again.
:'(
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: mr onion on May 14, 2010, 09:35:33
hi M.E
I'm in plymouth as we know its warmer down hear in Devon. I put my beans and peas in about 2weeks ago strait into the ground covered with Felice and they popped up no probs. took the Felice off 2 days ago and are looking very healthy and strong. we can get away with it down here. shame we cant stop the rain sometimes though!
Title: Re: too early to plant runner and climbing beans?
Post by: macmac on May 14, 2010, 09:49:15
We're in N.Somerset and are planting out our runners today ,they will have some protection against the winds but we'll leave the climbing french another week or so.