Growing Peas

Mortal

This year the kids have chosen peas to grow. They're growing very nicely in pots at the moment. But does anyone have any tips?
What pests am I to possibly encounter, and will I need to protect them from the squirrel family, if so how?

Deestar36

Mortal wrote: »

This year the kids have chosen peas to grow. They're growing very nicely in pots at the moment. But does anyone have any tips?
What pests am I to possibly encounter, and will I need to protect them from the squirrel family, if so how?

Hi Mortal,

I've grown peas in pots for a couple of years now and haven't encountered any pests that I'm aware of.

I normally sow 4 per pot and then push 4 canes in for them to trail up when they start growing (tied together at the top with twine). Just the obvious, keep well watered. Its as easier as that.

The only downside is when I'm out in the garden I keep picking them and eat them fresh from the pod so not that many make it to the kitchen!! :rolleyes:

Farway

Mice can be a problem, they eat the seeds before they germinate, but as yours are up then the next pest is the little maggot you someteimes find inside the pods

So when the kids are shelling them, watch out for it

Mortal

I will! I have the strongest feeling that not many will reach the kitchen either lol

I might do a batch in the ground and a batch in pots and see how we go then thank you!

what size pots do you grow them in Deestar?

Rummer

I love peas! Not had any problems with them except getting them to the kitchen! Just remember when they are dying off not to pull them up but to cut them near to the soil and let the roots break down slowly as they are nitrogen fixing plants and will release the nitrogen back into the soil, improving it's quality.

Beatlefan

Interesting thread, thanks. I've got a pack of Free Pea Alderman seeds to plant.

I wonder if anyone could help with a few questions please? Can I sow them straight into the soil and if so, what height do my canes need to be? I was think of making a wig-wam with the canes, like I do for my beans, and planting the seeds around the base of each cane. They could then grow up each cane. Not sure whether the canes need to be as high as the ones I use for my beans though.

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks. Also whether peas need full sun or can grow in part-shade?

Many thanks. :A

Lotus-eater

I grow alderman peas, they grow really tall, get the tallest poles you can, but they also need a net, or something like that to climb up.
As soon as you start to see them fill the pods, start picking them and eating the peas straight from the pods, keep picking when you find the right moment, as you don't want them to get too big, they are much better young.
Don't know about the shade, mine have always been in sun, I guess they would do OK.

Dave101t

i sowed peas in a seed tray, they are just breaking the soil surface (sewn 1 1/2 inches deep) but the root is already coming out the bottom of the tray.
i have started to repot them in larger pots but should i of planted them in larger pots in the 1st place?

Lotus-eater

Deeper pots, I use toilet rolls, or straight outside in the ground.

Rummer

I had mini peas so they did not require support. I have started mine in the greenhouse for an early start and then later in teh season I will plant some straight out in the garden so that I have loads through the summer. I had planted some out a few weeks ago but they never made it. The ones in the greenhouse are coming along nicely though and will go out in a few weeks.

Photo_Stylus

I read recently that peas do not like their roots to be disturbed.

Explains why the ones i started in pots them replanted in the garden did not
do as well as those planted in the garden & left to do their thing.

Will try starting in toilet rolls next time, as those can be planted without
disturbing the roots & will rot away as the roots expand.