Supporting peas?

Jesthar

Hey guys and gals

I've tried to grow peas the last few years, but I've struggled with supporting them and therefore mostly they've just gone leggy and drooped all over the place with only a few pods. Wigwams of small canes worked about the best, but they're an absolute pain to get right and half the time you still need to tie in as they fall out the side.

I do know about 'twiggy pea sticks' of course, but I don't have any suitable bushes to raid for twigs - I did try some from my tree when I cut that back, but they rooted! :rotfl:

I have a long slender garden with 2 - 3ft borders all round the edge, and I also work full time, so I've been trying to come up with something that will keep a decent amount of peas supported, doesn't need much time dedicated to it, and will also look decent in the borders - oh, and as MSE as possible of course! Any suggestions? I did wonder about veggie cages, but they all seem to be on the large side...

~Jes

Farway

How about chicken mesh?

Fairly open mesh, could be supported by strong canes, or given weight of peas, maybe something more meaty, like poles or metal conduit?

valk_scot

I use rectangles of thickish plastic mesh supported by canes threaded down the edge of the pieces and a crossbar and two canes at an angle at each end. This can support a lot of weight and is reusable from year to year. That orange safety barrier mesh is quite good for this, if you spot any in a skip.

radiohelen

I had real support problems last year. Everyone on our site puts up these weird tiny telegraph poles and threads string between them which boxes in the peas. It didn't really work for us. I've bought dwarf peas this year that are a bit more self supporting in a block (according to the packet). The big mange tout peas I bought are another matter. If they really get to five feet then I'm gonna need proper support canes. Any ideas what form these should take?

[Deleted User]

my problem as well and one of the reasons I am only growing two types this year. Oskar which is self supporting and a sugar snap pea. I have been meaning to search the internet for solutions, there must be a good alternative to twiggy sticks

edit: I am growing sugar ann which I have just read does not need support. Good