Hey everyone! I started my runner beans at the beginning of this month, kind of like I did last year. The thing is, they're growing way faster this time – they're already around 18 inches tall! I keep reading that I shouldn't plant them outside until late May to dodge frosts, especially since I'm in the Midlands. But every morning, it seems like they've grown even taller! Right now, they're taking over my living room. Is there any way to slow their growth? I'm tempted to plant them out now and take my chances since I could always replant if needed. What do you think?
5 Answers
Mine are also in pots and growing quickly! I feel like I started too early too. I’m torn between putting them in the ground or starting fresh with some new seeds. It’s a tough call!
I've never planted mine out before mid-May, and I live in the southwest. It's not just the frosts to worry about; runner beans really dislike cold weather in general. I usually wait until the nighttime temps are consistently above 8°C. I haven't even sown mine yet since I'm waiting until May starts; they take about three weeks to be ready for planting out anyway. Better safe than sorry!
I'm not planning to sow mine for another two weeks, and I usually aim to plant out in the last week of May. It’s the safest bet, especially with unpredictable weather!
If you want to slow their growth, you could try putting them in a cooler spot. But honestly, I’d just go for it and plant them outside now! Check out the average frost dates for your area to get a better idea. Even if it’s just an average, with this mild year, you might be okay. Here’s a link to that map: [https://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-united-kingdom-last-frost-date-map.php](https://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-united-kingdom-last-frost-date-map.php)
Honestly, I’d just plant them out. If you have some covers ready for frost protection, that could save them. But really, if it doesn’t work out, you can always sow more seeds!