When to sow Runners and Climbing French Beans?

My sowing guide says Apr / May for indoor sowing. So I'm a bit on the drag ...

I want to plant half a dozen, or so, Climbing French Beans in the greenhouse to get an early crop.

When do you folks start yours off indoors?

The ones I grew for plant out last year were about 6 feet long, and all tangled up, by the time I planted them out and they were a nightmare to untangle etc. I faithfully waiting until 1st June to be Frost Free ...

I remember someone recommending two sowings, the earlier one plant out anyway, and risk that there might be late frosts - and if not then you have an early crop - and if there are the second sowing will cover. I'd like to adopt that idea, but I don't know what date to sow in order to get a planting at, say, 15 May (or could I risk earlier?) and 1st June

For the last 5 years [only data I have found] the last frost has been 1st / 2nd week of April

 

Kristen I`ll be sowing runners at the end of this month for planting out towards the end of May. As for the half dozen French beans. As they are staying in the greenhouse I would sow them now.:gnthb:

 

Oh dear...my runner beans were sown a couple of weeks ago and have got so big that I planted them out today. I have covered them overnight, do you think thye'll be ok?

Hazyp:

 

Hazyp as you are covering them you just may get away with it, though a frost is possible tonight.:thumb:

 

i started my runners about 10 days ago in the greenhouse they appear to be fine at the moment. luckily for me i don't really need to worry about frost as it has not been frosty for months but as in typical wales (and i'm sure dai knows about this) the rain is is frequent everyday for at least half the day which does not give the plants a lot of sun

 

Started mine today.

Previous years experience told me to wait as long as I could - no point filling the conservatory with fast growing plants till i know i can plant them out.

This year we have:
Scarlet Emperor Runner Beans
Borlotti Bean
Blue Lake French Beans
Purple Podded French Beans
Climbing Peas

Wish me luck with that lot !

 

Hi this is my first attempt at beans peas etc. Planted broad beans bunyards exhibition, kelvedon wonder peas, and early nantes carrots. They are all in containers . I am keeping my fingers crossed, any hints or advice would be so helpful. thanks Barb.

 

I've sown my runners today, which is about the same time as last year and then i planted out during May at some point, around the middle i think :cnfs: tehy we're perfectly fine for me and i had lots and lots of yummy runner beans!!! My favourite veg by far!!!! :gnthb:

 

I'm planning to plant mine out on 1st June to be absolutely sure I'm past the frosts, so not going to sow mine (in pots) until 1st May.

I started off 20 climbing French beans yesterday in damp kitchen paper to chit them, and they will go in the greenhouse as an experiment this year. Probably should have done them a bit earlier ...

 

Not that you should take any notice of me, but I'm going to sow my dwarf beans this weekend, keep them inside for a couple of weeks and then move them on to the plastic greenhouse for 1st May, planting them out (probably under a polytunnel initially) as soon as they're big enough.

Coincidentally I was planning also to grow sweetcorn and courgettes this year, and I see there's this "Three Sisters" planting thing with those three plants that is supposed to keep pests away. I'll try and read up and give that a go.