French beans under cloches

**Paulie** · 04-01-2018, 06:25 PM

Good question, Jimmy. I was pondering something similar: growing some early french beans in the greenhouse border. I guess it's a bit of a gamble, as they don't like the cold. I think I'm going to sow some in February when it is warm enough. Your plan is perhaps a bit more risky as you're planning to grow them outside - even under cloches they may struggle. Maybe late February/early March?

I'd be interested in other people's opinions and experiences....

**geepee** · 04-01-2018, 07:00 PM

Will Day length ie Lack of light be a problem ..??
Gp

**Dalrimple** · 04-01-2018, 07:06 PM

iv'e given up on dwarf frenchies and only grow climbing beans !(1 slugs and snails, 2 space,and 3 the most important I dont have bend down to pick em all!) you may get away with it but they don't like to get cold to offten ! atb al

**Penellype** · 04-01-2018, 09:01 PM

I've grown french beans on the windowsill, sown in March and harvested in May. The plants (Purple Teepee) got quite leggy - the stems were about 2ft long, but they did produce beans, so lack of light was not critical.

I think you would struggle with temperatures under cloches - they only raise the temperature by 1 or 2 degrees and beans are not hardy. If we have a mild spring they might be ok, but a sharp frost would probably kill them even under a cloche. You may also find that the beans don't set at low temperatures, a problem I didn't have because mine were in the house.

**Snadger** · 04-01-2018, 10:09 PM

I think frenchies like similar temperatures to tomatoes.

**Scarlet** · 04-01-2018, 10:54 PM

I am a lot further South than you but I am in a frost pocket....dwarf beans.

Photo was taken on 15th April, sown indoors 3rd week of March and kept in pots in the GH. First harvest, early June off the top of my head - will double check. But they need fleecing at night - even in the GH.

Pic taken 8th May.....needed supplementary heating! The leaves had gone a bit yellow but I had a decent crop.

**veggiechicken** · 04-01-2018, 11:26 PM

You know my motto, Jimmy - Try it and see

Not quite the same, but I grow Bijou mangetout in the GH over winter. There's some at the far end, taken 8th December. I expect them to flower soon.

**Scarlet** · 04-01-2018, 11:30 PM

December??! Did anyone tell you that you are nuts?

**veggiechicken** · 04-01-2018, 11:38 PM

No, I don't think so, Scarlet

I have 3 pots of them, sown a month apart. I'll be sowing another lot in 2 weeks - that's Fruits week

**Scarlet** · 04-01-2018, 11:45 PM

The year before last...20th May - same place, if you zoom in you can see the purple flowers.

**bikermike** · 05-01-2018, 08:37 AM

blimey!

I'm going to try a late sewing this year (after speaking to the gardener at Dudmanston hall who had a nice little pea crop coming up in October)

**Jimmy** · 05-01-2018, 09:26 AM

Thanks for the replies

The basic bit of info I need is what is the earliest date can I plant out French Bean plants under a cloche given I am in Preston ?

Probably similar to how long is a piece of string!
Thanks
Jimmy

**veggiechicken** · 05-01-2018, 09:31 AM

Sow them now. If it doesn't work you'll know its too early.

**Scarlet** · 05-01-2018, 09:44 AM

Work back 12 weeks...
When do you usually plant beans outside? Even in a tunnel you wouldn't want the plants out before first week of May ....pot them up in single pots in the green house until then.
It's all trial and error and quite s bit of faff....a tunnel won't make a huge difference with the frost....so will probably give you just 2 or maybe 3 weeks earlier planting out date?

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