Zeedman
Garden Master
Ditto on the recommendation of bean transplants, when intending to save seed in short-season areas. I use them for nearly all beans, to overcome delayed planting due to bad weather, get a better stand, and to germinate older seed. Also helpful if cutworms, birds or squirrels tend to kill young sprouts, since pests are less likely to kill the stronger transplants (I have problems with squirrels digging up direct-seeded runner beans, because the shoots resemble walnut sprouts; but they won't bother the transplants). They can also make the difference between success & failure for long-season beans, such as limas. I start beans on my target planting date (about June 1st) so that the DTM seed clock starts running regardless of weather.
I use peat pots/strips to minimize root disturbance during transplant, with extra holes punched in the pot bottoms to aid root penetration. The Jiffy 32 strips (or equivalent) work for most beans & soybeans; Jiffy 50 strips work well for the smaller Vigna beans (cowpeas, yardlongs, adzuki, mung). I can get away with using the 32's for limas & runner beans if they will be transplanted soon after the first leaves appear.
Experience has taught me to start at least an 8-pot strip of all beans planted, regardless of whether I direct seeded. Those backups have frequently saved my seed crops from failure when flooding rains caused the first planting to rot, germination was poor, or birds plucked out the emerging seedlings. I hardly ever fail to get a good bean seed crop since embracing this philosophy.
I use peat pots/strips to minimize root disturbance during transplant, with extra holes punched in the pot bottoms to aid root penetration. The Jiffy 32 strips (or equivalent) work for most beans & soybeans; Jiffy 50 strips work well for the smaller Vigna beans (cowpeas, yardlongs, adzuki, mung). I can get away with using the 32's for limas & runner beans if they will be transplanted soon after the first leaves appear.
Experience has taught me to start at least an 8-pot strip of all beans planted, regardless of whether I direct seeded. Those backups have frequently saved my seed crops from failure when flooding rains caused the first planting to rot, germination was poor, or birds plucked out the emerging seedlings. I hardly ever fail to get a good bean seed crop since embracing this philosophy.