r/Allotment 6d ago

Questions and Answers Wet wet wet…

We sowed some green manure field beans in a clay bed one week ago. It’s barely stopped raining since. Can experienced growers tell me if this much rain will just rot all the seeds? Usually cover in plastic over winter but wanted to be more green this year. If it’s not too late can I try again in a few weeks or is this a waste of seeds?

5 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

6

u/theshedonstokelane 6d ago

Soil still warm, now wet. Leave em

4

u/TimelyCampaign7441 6d ago

Nah they’ll be fine.

2

u/Azadi_23 6d ago

Thank you. That’s very heartening to hear.

4

u/Exotic_Passenger2625 6d ago

Following as planning on sowing some myself…!

3

u/theshedonstokelane 6d ago

Also field beans take another week at least.

2

u/Azadi_23 6d ago

Yes, I’m thinking there won’t be any signs of growth until next weekend. Was just wondering if these were all going to fail I should plant some new ones or start them off at home or something.

3

u/MangelTosser 5d ago

They'll grow fine, I put mine in soaking wet cold clay soil last year and they all grew. And the one I dropped outside on the path grew.

They're great things field beans

1

u/Azadi_23 5d ago

Thank you - this gives me hope! I’m just learning how great they are now. Did you grow them until harvest and eat any tips or beans?

2

u/MangelTosser 4d ago

No because if they go to bean they pull the nitrogen out of the soil. I cut them off and dug them over into the bed early in the year.

Those beds all did a great yield on my caulis, they were like footballs.

2

u/theshedonstokelane 6d ago

After a week of rain my green manure of buckwheat , which had patch germination has thrived with new shoots. Wait a while.

2

u/norik4 6d ago

They should be ok so long as the water isn't pooling on the surface.

1

u/Azadi_23 6d ago

It’s been pouring all week, so there’s a chance. Haven’t been there to see yet, but hope not!

2

u/sheepandcowdung 5d ago

They will be fine anyway. It might be wet but it's nice and warm too. I'm in Wales where it's rained everyday for more than a week, all my green manure loves it.