How long for broad beans to break soil surface?

**zazen999** · 09-03-2013, 08:27 AM

Have you checked that they haven't been eaten or moved by critters?

**out in the cold** · 09-03-2013, 08:34 AM

Is it warm enough to germinate at the moment?

**alldigging** · 09-03-2013, 08:45 AM

My first thought was 'depends if the mice got them' - I will be sowing some in pots in the greenhouse as insurance.

**Aberdeenplotter** · 09-03-2013, 08:55 AM

Originally posted by out in the cold View Post

Is it warm enough to germinate at the moment?

If the soil is too wet, the seeds will rot, if it's too dry,they won't germinate, if it's too hot(fat chance) they won't like that either and if it's too cold, they just won't want to come out to play. I would excavate and take up a couple of seeds to see what is going on. If you can't find any, chances are as Zaz has indicated, the critters will have had a feed.

**Jamesy_uk** · 09-03-2013, 08:57 AM

I sowed mine a bit deep last year and thought they had all rotted but then after 6-7 weeks they came through and I had a great crop, I reckon you just need to bide your time a bit more as it hasn't been great weather of late anywhere.

**Two_Sheds** · 09-03-2013, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by Gurberly View Post

I sowed some aquadulce seed direct to the soil about 4 weeks ago.

Like has been said, if the soil was cold & wet, the seeds would've rotted. Even hardy seeds need a good start, which is why it's recommended to sow Aquedulce in November, when the soil is still warm after summer, or in March when the spring sun is warming it up again. Feb isn't really a good time.

I sowed my broadies in Feb, but I did it in the unheated gh, and the plants are now 1" tall

**Gurberly** · 09-03-2013, 02:17 PM

OK thanks for the thoughts all.

The soil in the bed they are sown is fairly light and free draining and having the cloches over them has kept the soil a lot dryer (though it is still moist below the surface, definitely not wet or claggy)

Not had much of a problem with mice munching stuff before. The biggest problem we have with mice is the blood stains they leave on the carpets when the cats bring them in. There no evidence of disturbance at the soil surface.... and for them to get every single seed.. 150+?

I did sow aquedulce in the autumn a previous year, but it was a very warm and late autumn. By the time the snow and wind and ice came in Jan/Feb, they were about 18 inches tall... they were massacred.

I'll give them another week to see what happens (not going to do much else today with the rugby on the telly!!)

Still plenty of time to sow another batch. I guess I am worried about whether my seed is viable more than anything else as it was self saved from last years crop.

G

**zazen999** · 09-03-2013, 02:22 PM

Just go, put your finger in the soil, and see if they are there, have rotted or are starting to grow.

Then you will know.

**rustylady** · 09-03-2013, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by Gurberly View Post

I guess I am worried about whether my seed is viable more than anything else as it was self saved from last years crop.

G

Best way to check seed viability is to chit a few indoors before sowing the whole lot.

**Likac66** · 09-03-2013, 03:49 PM

I planted some Bunyards in my greenhouse on 2nd Feb. It was unheated for first couple of weeks but has been heated since about mid Feb. I have just seen the first green breaking through the soil today so they have taken 5 weeks.

**Gurberly** · 09-03-2013, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by rustylady View Post

Best way to check seed viability is to chit a few indoors before sowing the whole lot.

[an in-between rugby games response]

Good suggestion.... I had not thought of that. Thanks

[Wales!!

]

**Linzy** · 09-03-2013, 04:40 PM

My dad alwys uses saved seed and never has any germination problems. It is chilly so give them another week. I sowed mine in the greenhouse cause the mice ate the batch i planted direct, so it may be worth checking they have not been gobbled away

**lottie dolly** · 09-03-2013, 05:27 PM

Mine to are slow to take of,i never direct sow either,the best ones i had laste year,were the first early lot that i thought were going to go home,but suprise suprise,they were the best,the other s i sowed later on,all got the black fly,so bung em in now and be patient

**KittyColdNose** · 09-03-2013, 05:31 PM

Ours went in last year and are just poking their heads up today. Yippee.

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How long for broad beans to break soil surface?

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