When to drill spring beans

[B&B Pig Man]

I've got 20 acres of spring beans to get.

With the current spell of decent weather drying it up a bit, when would people recommend getting them in?

 

[Yorkshire Farmer]

Yes we will be puttin some in as soon as its dry egough.

 

[Clive]

Best to farm to conditions I reckon and not calendar dates

As my agronomist pointed out everything is where it would normally be in November right now !

 

[B&B Pig Man]

I've never grown spring beans before - don't believe in calendar farming either.
Was more interested to know in what conditions to put them in?

Am I right in thinking they should go in early?
Once soil starts to warm up and I can do a good job, get them in?!

 

[Clive]

Personally I would prefer a latter drilled crop into good conditions

The only risk with that normally is droughts conditions after planting but that doesn't look like being an issue this year

They like water at flowering and luck with rain at that time can make big yield differences

 

[B&B Pig Man]

Drought is my major worry.

Last few spring linseed crops have been put into perfect conditions, then not seen a drop of raisin for weeks!

I guess beans will be drilled a bit deeper, so shouldn't be ass much of a worry.
Who knows what our weather will do next - so I'm trying not to second guess it anymore!

 

[Robigus]

I was told "when the ground is warm enough to comfortably sit your bare ar$e on it."

 

[Clive]

I was told "when the ground is warm enough to comfortably sit your bare ar$e on it."

Dare you to post a picture when your out testing that !

 

[fenlander]

get them in anytime now as soon as conditions are right if we get another 3 to 4 dry days here will be making a start on sowing ours

 

[B&B Pig Man]

Just seen the weather for the week ahead - definitely keeping my arse covered for a bit longer!

 

[Steevo]

Just seen the weather for the week ahead - definitely keeping my arse covered for a bit longer!

Glad to hear it!

 

[Andy26]

I've never grown spring beans before - don't believe in calendar farming either.
Was more interested to know in what conditions to put them in?

Am I right in thinking they should go in early?
Once soil starts to warm up and I can do a good job, get them in?!

Whenever you do get them in, don't spend too much on them!

I made the mistake of giving them lots of tlc, despite the forum advice of the time to spend as little as possible.

Be ready to spray them for Pea and Bean Weevil, Black Bean Aphid (only really a problem in a dry hot spell) and Bruchid beetle! The insecticides are cheap but...

There's few fungicides approved for them, do not bother with Downy Mildew the only approved fungicide costs £xxx,

Amistar+Chlorothalonil (check label as only some products have spring beans on the label) would be where I would start and leave it.

As for herbicides use a Pre-em if anything the only post-em 'Basagran' is like a chochlate teapot and an expensive one at that!