It's mangetout time!!!

Sally_A

Now is the time to sow mangetout, mine get started in a seed tray in the unheated greenhouse, they will sprout mid March, harden them off and plant in the garden - by using smaller trays or even the 300g mushroom containers, bury them flush to the ground like carpet tiles.

Now is the time to collect beansticks and if you are in a hazel area, bring the whole 13-15ft tall stick home. 8ft for the beans and the top 5-7ft twiggy bit for the mangetout.

Last year was a bit weird with the weather and they went from pods to seed in 1 day.

Mangetout are prolific, and can be easily frozen (top and tail them), without blanching - will be fine after 6 months, and acceptable for 12 months.

Carrouby de Mausanne (sp?) and Oregan Sugar Pods do well for me on our clay-ey soil.

If they go over, ie the peas inside get large - use them as peas.

grannyjo

what a great reminder.It was a lovely day today- warm. I put myself into the garden looking at my rather sorry looking greenhouse and drcided it was time to clean it out again and time to plant a few things. Mangetout are great because you can pick a few a day and they just keep coming.

forgotmyname

How do you manage to get peas to the freezer?

never had more than a handful reach the kitchen yet. I do love fresh peas straight from the pod. As does most of the family it seems.

suki1964

I'm in Ni. Whilst we are enjoying beautiful clear days ATM 8 oC ath norm, the nights are still dropping to minus 5 and heavy frosts.

Too early for us?

I have a brick built out house with a wee dodgy paraffin heater which just about keeps it above freezing

prowla

Mangetout - you've just got to eat em all!

MrsAnnie

Sally_A wrote: »

Now is the time to sow mangetout, mine get started in a seed tray in the unheated greenhouse, they will sprout mid March, harden them off and plant in the garden - by using smaller trays or even the 300g mushroom containers, bury them flush to the ground like carpet tiles.

Now is the time to collect beansticks and if you are in a hazel area, bring the whole 13-15ft tall stick home. 8ft for the beans and the top 5-7ft twiggy bit for the mangetout.

Last year was a bit weird with the weather and they went from pods to seed in 1 day.

Mangetout are prolific, and can be easily frozen (top and tail them), without blanching - will be fine after 6 months, and acceptable for 12 months.

Carrouby de Mausanne (sp?) and Oregan Sugar Pods do well for me on our clay-ey soil.

If they go over, ie the peas inside get large - use them as peas.

How do you cook your frozen mangetout?

Unlike the fresh ones that are crisp and slightly crunchy, I find the end result of frozen ones are soggy and limp. So I gave up freezing them and only grow to eat during the season.

Sally_A

I either steam them for 3 -4 minutes, or use them in a stir fry.

Agree, nothing better than fresh and crunchy.

I'm doing Caroubie de Mausanne (excuse spelling), but if they go over, they can be podded as peas too. Win win!!

Orange_King

Sewed mine yesterday, trying a new purple variety now that the eyesight is getting even worse and maybe I'll manage to get them all picked this year!