Peas in Guttering

[moggssue]

Just a quick question folks - tho its bound to win the award for daft question of the day ..... I'm going to start off a few peas in some guttering at the weekend, and keep them in my coldframe. The question is, do I use multi purpose or seed compost? Or even soil off the lottie?!

Oh, and I presume I need to put drainage holes in the bottom of the guttering? (Okay, so that one beats the one above to the award!!).

[SMS6]

When I tried it I drilled holes in the drain pipe and I used multi purpose. seemed to work okay.

Only problem I found was what to do with the ends of the pipe because the compost seemed to wash out the edges

[Hazel at the Hill]

When I tried it I drilled holes in the drain pipe and I used multi purpose. seemed to work okay.

Only problem I found was what to do with the ends of the pipe because the compost seemed to wash out the edges

Use duck tape across the ends - then when you come to plant out, you can peel it off and slide the whole lot out.

And no I'm not that clever really I cribbed the idea from Wellie - she's got a piccy on her blob.

Personally, I'd use multi purpose, moggie - they aren't going to be in there long enough to exhaus the soil, and peas are big seeds so don't need really find seed compost.

[jacob marley]

I have used this method in the past and about to sow some Alderman Peas in some next week you do not need to drill holes in the bottom and when you come to get them out draw a drill in the ground and then give the peas a good soaking with water and the peas will slide out quite easily good luck jacob

[vegnut]

If you drill holes in the bottom, the roots will grow through them, and then you would have a devil of a job to slide it all out neatly.

[crichmond]

I dont drill holes in the bottom of the guttering, what I do is I have guttering end pieces on either end and I have holes drilled near the bottom of these end pieces for drainage.

when it comes to planting them out they get a good soak and then I take the end pieces off so I can slide it out into the trench made on the allotment for them.

Cheers Chris

[pigletwillie]

My thoughs exactly Vegnut, but then I just sow my peas in pots for an early crop.

[wayne]

i find the best fitting pebbles i can find and stick one at each end of the guttering to stop the soil washing out, works for me and is easy to remove them when it time to put them out

[JennieAtkinson]

Use duck tape across the ends - then when you come to plant out, you can peel it off and slide the whole lot out.

Oh thankyou Hazel! (and Wellie) I have had so much trouble with the compost washing out in the past I had decided not to use them this year.

[bobbin]

Anyone come across...

Agriti or Monks beard as Jamie Oliver called it on one of his episodes of Jamie at Home (rather a pleasant change from usual cooking programmes as concentrates on veg) I cannot find any sign of seeds in garden centre etc

[Flummery]

I tried it last year. I didn't make holes, just put the thing on a very slight incline and the spare water drained. oHwever, I found it a bit of a faff getting them out. The ones I sowed earlier in modules and yog pots were far easier to handle.

[snake the squadie]

the drain pipe method didnt realy work for me but i think it was just me being crap

[crichmond]

Agriti or Monks beard as Jamie Oliver called it on one of his episodes of Jamie at Home (rather a pleasant change from usual cooking programmes as concentrates on veg) I cannot find any sign of seeds in garden centre etc

Here ya go: Seeds of Italy - AGRETTI / ROSCANO /BARBA DI FRATE

[Flummery]

Good grief! (Sorry Nick!!) Five quid for a packet of seeds. They can't possibly taste good enough to justify that!

[lottielady]

I have just had my first peas pop their heads out of my guttering and did not think of drainage holes they seem to be ok, I did have one question do they need to be hardened off before plating out, they are Kelvedon wonder or can they just go straight out, they have been in my mini greenhouse. Had no luck with peas last year at all so I am one step ahead this year.