A few days after returning from holiday on February 12th 2013 I decided to sow 60 Broad Beans (Aquadulce Claudia) under chloshes in pre prepared manured and watered soil. So far there have been no signes of the plants with the dreadful cold weather we have had.

Two weeks ago with impatience, I had a gentle trowel dig to see if anything was happening underground. There were 3 beans I found with roots and as there seemed to be life, I did not disturb them any further. What is the chance of the crop growing or do I assume that they have mostly rotted and need to re-sow? How long should I wait to see if the germination occurs?

In previous years I have sown the seeds in peat pots in the GH in February with success and then planted out in the veg plot when the plants are about 2 inches high. How can any of us have know what was to happen in March and April so far as the temperature outside was going to be? Your advice would be appreciated.

How many beans did you expect to find when you found your 3? If that was three in a 6ft row, I'd re-sow, if 3 in about a foot, then it looks as if they're coming up, but slowly. The soil isn't warm yet, but we have a week of above freezing temperatures forecast. I'd be inclined to wait a couple of weeks.

Or, if you don't mind wasting seed, you could sow a new lot in pots under cover, use them to fill in gaps where you need to.

For what it's worth, I have only just sown mine. It was far too cold in Feb, and when I got back from holiday in March, there was 6inches of snow over the garden - despite two days of sun, the last snow didn't melt till late yesterday.

Thank you for your comments, I thought at the time I sowed too early.