Allotments 4 All

this may be a twit question but if growing in the polystyrene boxes is that to keep the seed and then roots warm or does the actual foliage need to be protected too? I love beans and will do this in my greenhouse!

I thought it would protect the roots & fleece the tops. No not a twit question. No such thing on this site ;D.

How cold does it get where you are then ???

oooooooooo thats a good idea! i know what i am going to do this rainy PM ;D

I know what I'm going to do this pm - BUY MORE SEEDS  ;D

Got me thinking about the plastic greenhouse inside a real greenhouse. As I don't have a real greenhouse maybe I could takeover the spare bedroom, and anyone staying over winter has to share it with some pots of french beans  :D

Seeds bought  :-X

Quote from: flowerlady on August 20, 2009, 12:30:49
How cold does it get where you are then ???

Thinking about last winter ;) & hoping it won't be that cold for that long.

So  are we sowing them now?

Duke  ???

I found I had more than enough seeds to cover all the windowsills in the entire street so did not go out a buy some especially. 

I decided that for me today is a good day for sowing beans.  But if everyone does something slightly different that will be great.   When I suddenly get the urge to sow beans, I know that it is a good day for sowing beans. 

I was originally looking for advice I am rather pleased that lots of people have decided to give this a go.   It will give us something to talk about during the long dark cold miserable..... days of winter.

What l great idea  :D I really fancy that. I have a green house also a plastic Jobie from B&Q so i could put that inside the green house for extra protection. What do you think?

You've certainly started something here Digeroo  ;D

I bought some extra seeds as I only have 1 variety that I like at the moment (Safari) and it gave me an excuse to re-stock and to try some new varieties  :D

Aggie - Duke is giving the same idea a go, so you'll be in good company !

Quote from: Duke Ellington on August 20, 2009, 12:01:18
If it get really cold i could always put my plastic covered 4 tiered mini greenhouse in side my real greenhouse for extra protection.

Thanks 1066  I'm going to wyvale's to buy some more seeds as i used all mine this year. Can we perhaps let each other know how we get on. We could even set a new trend for dwarf beans in the winter and teach "Gardner's World" a thing or to.!!

I found some 'Polka' seeds, if anyone wants some there's a thread in swaps. :)

count me in,
i've also got some safari.
and maybe some polka courtesy of scholls(pretty please)
are we sowing them now?
or on a set date?

I've found some Golden Tepee at the bottom of my seed box, putting them in today. I can provide warmth, do you think they may need any extra light?

How are others planning to grow theirs.

I was thinking grow bags, with 2 rows of six and a middle row of 5.

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what do you all think?

I was going to grow mine in one of my used tomato grow bags. I will mix in some fertiliser to give the grow bag a boost!. I like your idea but I was going to do two staggered rows ~ dont ask me why but I did think about the size they grow to when planted on the allotment. The more different ways we all the grow these beans  the better I think. :) I am starting mine off in pots to later transfer to the grow bag. I will be growing *Boston* dwarf beans and Suttons *Speedy* dwarf beans.

Duke:)

My dwarf beans are usually grown three to a 15 inch pot. (I always assume one from each pot will die, but if all survive they're not too overcrowded. ;) ) They've done well in spent compost, so used growbags with a bit of fertilizer should be fine... I've tried a 50/50 mix of fresh compost & free draining garden soil, but that was less successful. 

My challenge for the weeked is to find some florists buckets (none of the local Morrisons admit to selling them.  ::) ) or too rummage in the shed for some old rose pots, that way I can have a 'portable solution'.

I think I'll also use the large pots with spent compost probably 3 pots with 3 plants in each (thanks Sholls!), I'm going to plant a batch up in the next few days and then some more in the early new year

Good luck everyone  :D

I think I'll do the same as Duke, start off in pots then transfer into grow bags. I   have some Safari left, and will call into Wyvales tomorrow and see if they have any others, their seeds were half price . ;) When are we going to plant?