beans

[mimififi]

following on from my potato question and my allotment:

I have started off some french beans and corgettes etc at home indoors. But before I plant them out, should I harden them off in the cold frame before I plant them out, or will they be hardy enough to survive? They are very large now, and taking over the sitting room!

many thanks, friends

mimi
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[gardenknowin]

Weather should be warm enough (unless you're in the Shetlands!) to plant out your beans now. Don't keep indoors too long as stalks will weaken.Courgettes should be put in cold frame though. Good luck and a fulsome harvest...

[Clanad]

Be sure the soil temperature is at least 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) and the nights aren't getting any colder than say 55 degrees F (12 degrees C) and they'll do OK. We don't have green house so I start them from seeds but other plants (cucumbers, tomatos, etc.) are brought home from the garden center and left in the garage for two or three days but only because our temperatures are wildely variable. By the way, much to Mrs. C's chagrin, I use our instant read out grill thremometer to get the soil temps. Are your's climbers or bush type? Climbers produce somewhat better in my experience and are certainly easier to manage the invariable mollusks. Whichever type you choose (or mix) sow another crop in about 3 weeks to assure a successive harvest well into the fall. We used to can ours but have been freezing them with good success. I use a mix of yellow wax beans and a variety of climbers known here in the U.S. as Kentucky Climbers.
Good luck!

[mimififi]

that's excellent guys. many thanks.

But would you recommend that I just plant them out, or harden them off first for a few days? I hav such lovely plants, i don't want to lose them.

mimififi
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