Thursday wasn't a particularly brilliant day. The sun did make a few weak attempts to break through the cloud but it would be fair to say it failed. It was a cold day with the temperature managing just 8°C. It rained a bit now and again through the day. March’s weather has deteriorated after a promising start with the coldest and wettest conditions reserved for the end of the month. It seems a bit of a stuttering start to spring, as though it doesn't quite want to commit.
In a sunny moment I decided to get started sowing a few seeds. I always start our earliest broad beans Witkiem Manita off in pots in the greenhouse to germinate and grow on before they eventually get planted on the plot when large enough. I thought the little bit of sunshine might have warmed inside the greenhouse but I was wrong as, even in the greenhouse, the temperature didn't get above 12°C .
I managed to sow one set of 15 modules and decided I’d wait for a slightly warmer day to sow another tray. It’s about time I sowed some leeks too so I’ll probably try to get those done at the same time. A few days aren’t going to make a great deal of difference to when we have some lovely tender green beans ready to harvest
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I'm not bothering with broad beans this year, it's the bean I like least so I'm going to devote the space to more runners and French beans. The leeks I sowed a couple of weeks ago are only just germinating so you're probably wise to have left sowing them for a while.
ReplyDeleteI maybe should have sowed our first broad beans and leeks a bit earlier but I wanted to wait until the greenhouse roof was repaired. It's all go now though.
DeleteI haven't heard of that variety. I've sown some, but the germination rate wasn't great. I find the big beans don't germinate that well for me, it's disappointing. I might end up buying a tray from the little local garden shop in town. It's a lovely independent high street shop, rather than a big chain garden centre, so I'm happy to support them. There's a little discount for allotment society members as well.
ReplyDeleteSupposed to be a very early, quick growing variety for those of us who don't manage to sow an autumn crop. I usually find that broad beans take a few weeks to germinate but the germination rate is quite good. That's probably put the mockers on the ones I've just sowed.
DeleteWehey(!) I spotted some of my broad beans, sown in Feb, were up today! (Both the Sutton and Aqua Dulce). I put some enviromesh over them a week ago - could be a factor.
ReplyDeleteNot expecting to see anything of mine for a few weeks. At least the plot is prepared and ready for them.
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