Two questions about Mange Tout peas...

[Herbsandveg]

I bought some Mange Tout pea plants today (3rd May) and have planted them out in a big pot in the garden with the intention of running them up a 'teepee' framework of canes.

Two questions on this:

1. Is it still too cold to plant them out despite us now largely being free of frosts?

And

2. Will the peas find their own way up to the canes (they are planted just beside them) or should I just somehow fasten them lightly to the canes until the tendrils start to wrap themselves around them?

Could anyone help me with this one, please?

[Thelma Sanders]

peas can stand a bit of frost so they should be ok

peas don't climb up canes like beans do, you'll need to run some strings round for them to grab on to,
and probably tie them in as they get taller - just like you have to tie sweet peas up.

[Herbsandveg]

peas can stand a bit of frost so they should be ok

peas don't climb up canes like beans do, you'll need to run some strings round for them to grab on to,
and probably tie them in as they get taller - just like you have to tie sweet peas up.

Thank you for that, Thelma. I'll do as you've suggested and see how they go...

[Vince G]

Further to Thelma's post, another way to offer them support is to use some chicken wire for them to fasten on to.

Cadge some chicken wire about 3 or 4 feet wide, turn it on its side and unroll it and hold it in place with canes woven through at various points and stuck into the ground. Then plant yout peas at the foot of the mesh.

The wire also provides some protection form the neighourhood rats-with-wings (pigeons!!) who are partial to young peas. You can also put a bit of netting over the top for added pigeonproofing and this is kept in place by the canes poking through it. Form the wire into a horseshoe shape, then you can get in the open end easily and pick your peas! Hope I've explained that clearly enough

[zazen999]

I usually just bung a cane in the middle, they hang on themselves and catch hold of each other if planted in blocks. You could just pop 3 canes in the pot and tie at the top and they will usually do the rest.

[toby6668]

Hi from a Staffordshire newbie. I planted out my mangetout as per the photo below. I am hoping that the windblown tendrils will catch on to the canes and take off! Would appreciate any advice Thanks,
Toby

[rustylady]

You need some netting Toby, peas don't attach to canes very well.

[Feral007]

I just put them up near the string or cane here, they did pretty well. The others that had no stakes just ran along and I picked them anyway. We put some in hanging baskets last year, if they had made peas it would have been good as they were hanging down. I've got mine in now and we're getting zero's and a few minus' here already and the peas are doing great still.

[Scarlet]

My small varieties like meteor that grow 18inches or more I plant in a block with some twiggy sticks from of the garden. But my taller varieties need netting or fencing to climb. i've just wrapped netting over an arch and tied it on with zip ties this year although I usually just wrap some around some poles. If I don't they trail on the floor and the fruit gets in a mess.

[toby6668]

Thanks everyone. I'll get some netting over the canes later....when the rain has stopped. Typical bank holiday weekend weather here in Staffs!

[toby6668]

That should do it then Thanks everyone.