Meggsy, normally there is no real reason to start beans early. These I am starting early are some rare dry beans from the canyon regions of mexico that take over 6 months to start producing. That's why these are rare.
Yes, beans can be started indoors, and hopefully not more than a month before planting outside. Longer than that and they need to be uppotted and if a pole variety, given a small bamboo stake.
Beans definitely are one that need to be transplanted with extra care. Mine are in "Coir Cells" which is similar to peat pot material. The roots can go right through them. These Coir cells fit snugly into a standard flat, 50 cells fit in a flat. I double up my flats. Both have plenty of drain holes. Mostly I double up my flats because they are much less likely to bend in the middle while moving them around.
Chances are that in the course of a month there will be roots sticking out of all the cells. That's ok. The coir has already softened a lot and when I transplant these beans into the garden it should be simple to tear or scissor them apart, being careful not to touch any roots separating the cells.
I know how beans are. Their roots will go down to the flat and settle there. So when I do the deed, I'll use my fingers to lift them off.
If needed, I will sacrifice the flat and cut it to get the bean plants out. Probably won't need to though. They will be well watered right before transplanting, and the garden soil will be moistened, and I will have water in a bucket, with my favorite single serving baby plant water pourer, a plastic wine goblet, long stemmed of course.
Yep, similar to cucumbers in root carefulness. About 1 month is all you'll need inside before going out and it'll be easy enough.
Flat italian is a good one to do this with. Is yours green? I have a family heirloom of a green one.
It had no name, so I named it Kim's Italian Flat Green. It seems to be a not vigorous less than half runner. Wonderful italian beans, white seeded.
I don't know the exact soil temperature the soil should be, but I'm going with planting them out when I plant my other bean seeds outside, probably the day before that. Soil temp I think should be when it's warm enough to plant bean seeds. I don't see why a touch earlier would hurt much if the flat is getting crowded, unless the weatherman says it's gonna be chilly for awhile...then might have to uppot the beans to wait on it...i'd rather not have to do that.
Next week i am going to plant my indoor plants ,out ! :tools ( too windy)
here's hoping that is a good sign that the grafts have been taking.
