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.