Omlet cube and run

[Luvachicken]

Last year I grew french beans from seeds but they didn't grow.

I sowed some again this year and again they didn't grow.

 

When I looked in the pots last year, the seeds had gone mushy. I didn't even bother looking this time.

I sowed them in seed compost last year and tried Jack's magic compost this year, and each time put them in a heated propagator.

 

Why don't they grow, what am I doing wrong ?

[sjp]

the compost is to wet I don't use extra heat for French beans I find a unheated greenhouse or cold frame is enough

it's not to late to try again in fact I've still got most of mine to sow hopefully this weekend the plot them out at the end of the month early nest month

[Luvachicken]

Yes, I might try more natural conditions and just pop them in the greenhouse.

The compost is damp enough I guess to start with ?

[chickencam]

My first lot did the same this year, I am going to do some more this weekend. I think some of my seeds have got to damp and hot in the last few weeks.

[freddie]

I've just replanted the whole lot too. A few peas did come up, but a rat was seen eating them!!!!

This weather.. will it never end?

[Space Chick]

Our runners and broads have come up fine, but we've had the same issue with French too

 

Also our tomatoes have been a disaster too, we've resorted to buying in some plants

[chickencam]

We did a second sowing of French beans yesterday.

 

Our tomatoes have been fine, also got loads of aubergines, but only one chilli germinated.

[Chicken deficient]

I agree with above - they are probably too wet.

If starting them in pots, I water the compost once, before the beans go in and then not again until they have well and truly germinated and their leaves are opening out. Any more water than this and they just rot before they have a chance to germinate.

 

Good luck!

 

We sowed loads of peas around the perimeter fence of our allotment one year and a mole did a circuit and ate the lot, leaving just an empty tunnel all the way round. I don't think the mole could believe its luck!