Runner bean cloche trial

These runner beans were sown in early May under a standard polythene cloche through a maize mulch, 4 weeks earlier than we normal.
The cloche has protected the young plants from the cold weather, but the slugs have taken their toll of the leaves but I think they should grow out of the damage.

The experiment does seem to be a success, we have runner bean plants established several weeks earlier than usual, but we will have to use some control methods for slugs. Luckily there is the new organic slug control pellets, Ferramol which I think could be laid under the mulch before planting.
Next year we hope to plant the seeds in early April and get germination before the beginning of May which should advance the crop by 3 or 4 weeks.