Just been to the allotment today, all looking a bit depressing, but our broad bean seeds we put in 4 weeks ago have just started to shoot! yippee :) :) :) :)
Mine are showing strongly in the cold greenhouse... :)
Well Done ;D Isn't it good to see new life! ;D
So long as you can keep the wild life off they should be fine. Since mine are inclined to be dug up by pheasants and mice I've resorted to root trainers or toilet roll tubes in the poly. Most are through and if the weather stays like this they'll be out in plein air in a few weeks. Covered mind you to keep the wild life off ::)
I put 60-odd Aquadulce Claudia x Red Epicure crosses out in October, and the slugs have completely finished all but a dozen. It's called natural selection; I want seed off the ones the slugs don't want! They should overwinter better.
Our first time at planting from seed at this time of year, no covering, so hope slugs don't attack. Plan on another 2 rows in Feb?
Well done, a nice early copr of beans on your allotment then. I am still experimenting with our clay soil as it gets very wet some winters.
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on January 02, 2012, 21:05:52
I put 60-odd Aquadulce Claudia x Red Epicure crosses out in October, and the slugs have completely finished all but a dozen. It's called natural selection; I want seed off the ones the slugs don't want! They should overwinter better.
Not sure if you are joking or not! :-\
Maybe you are trying to find BB's which do not taste good to slugs!!?
Anyone evere tried garlic spray to protect plants?
I mean exactly what I say. Overwintering BB's are going to be small and vulnerable, and slugs are going to be active in mild weather. The only way to get them through is to breed plants which aren't so vulnerable. I'll be adding more verieties to the mix next year.
So does starting them off earlier so they are bigger and a bit tougher come into it as well?
Or is it growing lots of plants and keeping the ones which do well for next years seed?
Do you plant in the ground Robert or start off in modules?
sorry lots of q's! ( I gave up a few years ago and grow in modules then plant out in spring)
I always start my BB under bottle cloches. If there is a slug under a bottle then the plant is doomed but hopefully the rest will be safe. Certainly keeps off the voles, deer, squirrels and pigeons until the plant is big enough.
I also have given up on Autumn sown ones, I have found that they have very poor productivity and the spring sown ones are only a few days behind.
I do like the idea of breeding for slug resistance. I do find my own saved seeds do tend to be stronger they will have to have survived the slugs so they have already been selected. The seed companies raise their seeds all over the place including New Zealand so perhaps they become resistant to the wrong bugs.
I start them in modules; that way the mice and pigeons can't have at them. The idea is to save seed from the best, and keep putting in more varieties. I should end up with an interesting mix!
So you will be able to name them Robert! ;)