Drilling beans in frost. Am I mad?

[Masterofnone]

Had a thought about drilling my beans with the Claydon at a depth 4” in a frost. For the following reasons
1. The land will take the traffic better
2. Frost mould should prevent a smear
3. I want to drill earlier so I’m not harvesting on Christmas Eve... as usual
4. Less to do in spring
5. After I’ve drilled it I want to run on top with the destoner, as we’ve got a fair crop of cobble. if it’s dormant it’ll give me longer to do rather than bouncing in and being straight through.

At 4” the beans should be protected from too harsh conditions, although, if they haven’t set off this shouldn’t be an issue anyway should it?
Anything I’ve not thought of?

 

[Andrew K]

Forget it till mid March unless it stops raining for two or three weeks. Nothings growing in this weather anyway.

 

[JoshM]

If it was me I would, but then I already have.

Drilled with a claydon first week of Jan in some lighter frosts than what we are having currently. There not up yet but the ones i have dug out have started to chit.

Mind its on some forgiving soil.

 

[Boysground]

I will probably drill some tomorrow but, on chalk so was not waterlogged before the frost, I ploughed 1 of the 2 fields this week and cultivated both and has a decent seedbed. last year it was too wet to drill in late feb early march so I didn't plant until 26th march which I think was too late. Finally its supposed to warm up next week.

Not sure I would direct drill now

Bg

 

[Andrew K]

Its ridiculously wet in Essex, no one going on clay soils for quite some time I would think?

 

[Hobbit]

I finished drilling winter beans at the beginning of Jan on the frost with a Claydon. It’s was heavy clay but they went in really well. Then it turned wet after. I thought they would rot but they are all about to pop through.

 

[Shutesy]

Its ridiculously wet in Essex, no one going on clay soils for quite some time I would think?

Agree with you there Andrew!

 

[Brisel]

Had a thought about drilling my beans with the Claydon at a depth 4” in a frost. For the following reasons
1. The land will take the traffic better
2. Frost mould should prevent a smear
3. I want to drill earlier so I’m not harvesting on Christmas Eve... as usual
4. Less to do in spring
5. After I’ve drilled it I want to run on top with the destoner, as we’ve got a fair crop of cobble. if it’s dormant it’ll give me longer to do rather than bouncing in and being straight through.

At 4” the beans should be protected from too harsh conditions, although, if they haven’t set off this shouldn’t be an issue anyway should it?
Anything I’ve not thought of?

How deep does the frost layer go? You need seed to soil contact though moisture is rarely limited at this time of year. Underneath the frost, the soil is still very fragile. Just because the top couple of inches looks ok doesn't mean you're not doing damage underneath. Of course I have no idea what kind of soil you have, where you are and how wet it is so it's hard to be prescriptive.