Runner beans query

homebird

I mistakenly set my runner bean seed 3 weeks ago indoors (normally sow them the first week in May) and the plants are now about a foot tall. Because of the high daytime temperatures in my unheated greenhouse I have been standing the pots in the shade outside. When do you think is the earliest date I can plant them out in the garden.  

Dovefromabove

Whereabouts roughly are you?

homebird

I am on the Nottinghamshire/ Derbyshire border. 

fidgetbones

You must be near me. (Sandiacre).  I sow beginning of May to plant out at the end of May. We often get frosts in early May.  It has been like June here for the past few weeks. I have to stop myself from going mad and sowing everything.

fidgetbones

 I know a good source of Well rotted manure if you need it.

Dovefromabove

@fidgetbones do you think 2 or 3 layers of fleece pug around them at night (and secured with clothes pegs) would be sufficient protection if they were planted out by their supports now?

homebird

Thankyou Figetbones and Dovefromabove. On the map of dates for predicted frosts it’s saying the last frosts for Bassetlaw Worksop area) will be in the last week of this month. 

homebird

Thanks Figetbones, my next door neighbour brought me some horse manure from her friends stables last year and I am using it now. 

fidgetbones

Certainly I would keep them outside all day at the moment. If you put them in the ground, have fleece or even old newspapers to drape around them at night.

homebird

Thanks Fidgetbones I will leave them in their pots, as long as they don’t start to twist around one another too much. I will continue to put them out every morning. I would hate to lose them now or break the stems trying to untwist them. I think they probably will have to go into the ground soon though and I shall do as you suggest and put fleece around them at night. Thanks again for your advice. 

homebird

I had to plant them out and for the past few nights we stood the windbreaks, one either side the rows, they look pretty healthy and are still climbing. Fingers crossed they keep going. I think I will leave the wind breaks up for a week or two more to be on the safe side.