Article added by Ian

I find that anything planted on the allotment needs to grow quickly or it will be strangled by the weeds. Particularly  Peas, sweet peas as well as runner beans have a long tap root and need to put down long deep roots. They do not respond will if started off in normal small pots, as this restricts root growth.

You can buy "root Trainers with books that open to enable you to lift out a 6" long rooted plant-let. Sadly the compost plug tends to fall apart when opening the "book for plating out.  I collect the tube from inside all our used loo rolls, pack the bottom of the tubes with a sheet or two of screwed up loo paper.I then fill the tube with compost. Plant a bean or pea ( could be sweet pea ) and water. The tubes provide a deep long root container for the seedling. I Plant the whole thing - a bulb planter is ideal but a big dibber will do. It is very quick and  easy and The tube will rot away and there is no root disturbance. The tubes can be stood in a seed tray or a half dozen will fill an old butter tub and can stand on the window sill for quick germination.If covered with fleece or a poly bag they are I have also had success with Courgettes, Marrow and Squash. It really gives things a head start especially on the allotment