Aquadulce BB, Autumn planting?

[Dorothy rouse]

Just wondering if it's worth sowing these in the Autumn? or wait till Feb. What do Grapes think?

[WPG]

I've sown them outdoors around October time for the past couple of years - have lost maybe 2 or 3 plants each year, but apart from that they've done really well. I don't fleece them, and they've survived snow and frost no problem (we don't have pigeons on our site - I guess if pigeons are a problem then it'd be best to put netting over the seedlings).


One of the advantages for me is that the autumn sown seedlings have tougher leaves come the spring, and seem to be less tasty for the bean weevil (which is a real pest on our site)

[brownfingers]

I would do them in autumn. Early harvest, less chance of blackfly. I usually do Meteor and they crop really well. I set them off in pots in the gh, then transplant them out at abot 4" high. Watch for frost when they are so small and net them for pigeons.

I was going to do some bunyards exhibition this way this year. Will they cope with an autumn set?

[Farmer_Gyles]

i always do broad beans over the winter, always aquadulce claudia ... they always survive, get an early crop which gives me free ground for planting other things in spring ....

i try to have crops growing all year .... if i can grow things over the winter, i get more space for other things in the spring / summer .... well, that's the theory ....

[Dorothy rouse]

Thank you all, was my intention to plant in the autumn, so will give them a go, as you say FG, after harvesting next year, clears some space, for summer stuff.

[meteor]

I had an early accidental crop of broad beans this spring, right next to my compost heap, I reckon some beans were dropped as I dragged the summer beanstalks down to the heap late last autumn, I can't rememember the variety though. Anyhow they survived the winter and provided an unexpected early crop, actually my best crop this year as my maincrops were useless. Encouraged by this I intend to sow a large area with aquadulce claudia in October.

[Snadger]

How do you keep mice from digging them up and eating them?

[Dorothy rouse]

How do you keep mice from digging them up and eating them?

I'll put my old cat on a VERY long lead, and leave her up there guarding.!

I didn't realise mice dug them up.

[meteor]

Never had problems with mice digging anything up, I've had problems with pheasants taking dust baths during the summer and badgers looking for worms and larvae but even they don't cause much damage.

[marcofez]

Growing aquadulce for the first time, so thanks for the tips!

[rustylady]

My allotment neighbour sows Bunyards Exhibition in October every year and has a lovely crop. I'm going to copy her this year, and maybe sow some Aquadulce too.

[Scarlet]

My allotment neighbour sows Bunyards Exhibition in October every year and has a lovely crop. I'm going to copy her this year, and maybe sow some Aquadulce too.

I might try earlier this year. The mice often eat mine so I usually start in modules in February and keep in the GH until ready to plant outside. I'll give it a go in a couple of weeks.

RL...lovely to see you back

[Farmer_Gyles]

How do you keep mice from digging them up and eating them?

i have major problems with mice eating seeds .... the only solution i've found is to sow in cell trays (15 cells per tray) and cover with the propagator lids so the mice can't get in, then plant out when they're too big for the lids to stay on .... the mice want the seeds, not the plants .... works for runner beans, french beans, sweetcorn, cucumber and any other large seeds that mice seem to love ....

unfortunately i only have a few of those cell trays and i need dozens ....

[Kristen]

I am on heavy soil and lose an autumn sown crop to wet more often than I like, so I sow mine in 9cm pots very early in the new year, harden off and plant out. In pots I can easily control germination and keep the mice out!