Allotments 4 All

I planted broad bean seeds in November in loo rolls and they are now a couple of inches high, but don't seem to have formed proper leaves, though the shoots are there, so they are coming.  I notice that the roots are coming out the bottom of the loo rolls on a couple of them.  Should I plant them out?  My plot is still very wet and there's now way I could even loosen the surface let alone dig it today.

Any advice? ???

  Sorry aussiedigger,   but I reckon you're gonna have to start again.       :-\

  Can't see how these fellas are going to catch up  --   but if you can find an area thats got
  better drainage, then get them in the ground now   ---   protect them with fleece and hope
  the weather improves.

  Planting out as seeds would have been the better option   Oct/Nov, they would be established now with a good few inches of growth  ---   all is not lost as you can sow again for a Summer crop, or
pot up the ones you have and plant them out once they have matured   ...   You will  have a good
crop one way or another.

  Stands back while the more experienced growers come out of the shadows,      ;D

   floss xxx

   somebody  --  please      ;D

I have rather battered plants in the ground since Oct (Snow! Frost!!) and am starting off new seeds to fill in the gaps. I have chitted them in the airing cupboard and put them into gutters full of compost. HTH.

Sorry flossy, I don't like to contradict you, but would rather give advice on our personal experience.  After all there's more than one way of skinning a rabbit. ;D

We never sow direct into the ground.  We have lost more seed than we have grown using this method.  We have a high water table locally, and the seeds just rot off rather than grow.  It's a waste of good seed to sow direct here.

We usually use aussiedigger's method of sowing in loo rolls.  I would say his plants are fine, but if he can move the loo rolls into a tray with a layer of compost in the bottom (so as to get the roots into a bit of feed), they should start to grow.

As for planting out, if the seedlings are under glass, they will need hardening off before planting, quite apart from the fact that the soil has been rock-hard for quite a few weeks.

This year we have used the method for broad beans that Terry, the Jeremy Vine allotment holder suggested.  You get moist compost (so that when you squeeze it it just holds together) mix broad bean seeds in amongst it, place in a resealable plastic bag, put in a warm place and wait for them to germinate.  So far we've got one sowing potted up.

Gardening is a wonderful hobby, but where we live direct sowing of seeds is a definite no no

valmarg

   There told you that the more experienced growers would appear !    ;D

   floss xxx

Thanks for the suggestions.  I don't ever like to give up on a plant that has some hope of living so scrapping them is not an option - while there's life, there's hope!!  (You should see what I rescue from 'compost corner' at the country's leading hardware store, you know, the one with the orange logo!)

Planting out direct isn't an option for me either - ground is too soggy and then there are the mice -  ::) pesky devils.

I like the idea of putting the loo rolls into a tray of compost, so will give that a try.

Thanks again!!

aussiedigger, I'm the same - if its taken the trouble to grow - it should be given the benefit of the doubt. ;D

valmarg

I reckon Valmarg has a good solution if you need to save the plants.
I haven't Autumn planted broad beans for years & after this winter I'm glad I didn't.
Went to dig some parsnips yesterday - took me a couple of minutes to dig 'em up but 10 mins. to find 'em (still 4" of the white stuff).
I've got a load of tom. seedlings to pot on. I don't know what I'm gonna do with them! Need a 20ft. windowsill.
Ain't veg. growing a challenge some times?

Quote from: telboy on February 15, 2009, 17:54:11
Ain't veg. growing a challenge some times?

Yes, but come the summer when you are out there harvesting, ain't it all worthwhile. ;D ;D

You have good years, you have bad years, but there are no years when you end up with nothing.  And next year is going to be so much better (fingers crossed). ;D

valmarg