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Posted by john ralph (U14340545) on Tuesday, 16th November 2010
I have my broad beans under cover for protection from frosts they are about two inches high. My question is do they they need to be covered? in anticipation John.
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Tuesday, 16th November 2010
In a 'normal' year no. However if we have another winter like the one just gone you are best to leave the covers on, but.....it may be prudent to remove them from time to time just to let the seedlings get a "change of air". Cheers, Tony.
In my experience the problems you are more likely to experience is not frost but wind. I had a lovely row of broad beans, sown in October, and were completely wiped out in one Autumn/Winter gale. I think the plants are pretty resilient against temperature but as soon as the wind gets above a certain level, especially if it is gusting, snaps the stems straight off. Good luck anyway.
, in reply to message 2.
Posted by john ralph (U14340545) on Wednesday, 17th November 2010
Thanks for your advice I hope we don't get a winter like last year! thanks again Tony cheers John.
Thanks for your question John, and thanks too for the other members replies. I'm giving broad beans a go for the first time this year.
, in reply to message 3.
Posted by john ralph (U14340545) on Wednesday, 17th November 2010
Sorry to hear that you lost your crop of broad beans last year it gets very windy hear and I am 500 feet above sea level always replacing fence panels I dread the high winds. when they grow taller I am going to put some canes up and string around them to give some support thanks for your reply Regards John.
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 17th November 2010
I'll agree with the wind problem. Mine were a sorry sight come the spring also. Cheers, Tony.
, in reply to message 7.
Posted by Vulnerable Bede (U14285087) on Wednesday, 17th November 2010
I put some in last autumn and when the really bad snow and icy winds came plastic bottle closhed them up. Out of 25 planted 15 stunted ones survived but they only beat my spring planted beans by 2 weeks but that was one bad winter. As always suck it and see!
Shame the search engine isn't still part of the boards because there was a good thread several weeks ago which users contributed to and information was given about sowing broad beans, when to sow, where and how to care for them over winter.
, in reply to message 9.
Posted by gaffelbiter (U14481810) on Thursday, 18th November 2010
I have never had success with autumn sown broad beans. I sow them in late january in modules and put them in my cold frame. I plant them out when they have put on a couple of inches growth - usually late march. I garden in Edinburgh and find this gives me a reasonably early crop. I see broad beans as a dual crop. I love the pinched out tops and the young immature beans and the beans !
The big question is, which variety did you sow? Aquadulce Claudia or Super Aquadulce are winter hardy, best sown early November, they slowly germinate and will take the worst of the weather as a small clump of leaves.
Here they are holding their own with the frost last Xmas...
...then became covered with January snow, yet went on to crop well in June. Two or three weeks is a huge advantage in the spring and these early broadbeans can be relied upon to escape any blackfly infestations.
My advice is to sow later and then leave uncovered.
Here are my November sown beans emerging from the soil, thanks to the mild wet weather. They will crop well ahead of any spring sown varieties.
, in reply to message 12.
Posted by margaretstar (U14415248) on Saturday, 8th January 2011
Do you have a problem with slugs on these very early and very tender shoots later on in spring HB?
I have lots of wildlife on my allotment but slugs are still a problem - I have a ditch running along side my patch which is great for the frogs and toads and newts.......
but also for slugs, they seem to win out against the foe every time.
, in reply to message 13.
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Saturday, 8th January 2011
These last two winters have not been good for Autumn sown broadbeans unless you have been particularly lucky with your planting time and they have not actually sprouted out until after the really cold weather.
That is the real skill, not too early so that they get legs before the winter; not too late that they have done no rooting, by the first whiff of milder weather in late winter.
Some people seem to get it right every year, I only ever have done once, but then I do not replant in the spring if I have got it wrong, believing that the fly will get to them if I do!
I have a sandy loam, so this is always a successful crop. Birds pick off the slugs and the leafy beans smother weeds.
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