peas advice

[the big lebowski]

hi all, im going to have a go at growing peas this year i have never grown them before and i was after some tips ,i have some posts that im going to run a net or chicken wire along for the peas to grow up ,anyone got any thoughts on which is best ? and any other thoughts welcome, cheers

[vixylix]

I'm sure you'll get an expert answer shortly... but in my 'inexpert' opinion I think either will be fine. I grew mine up netting last year with no problems, but I imagine the chicken wire might provide additional stability

[the big lebowski]

ok thanks for the quick reply

[lolie]

Watching this with interest.

This will be my first time growing peas too.

[Dorothy rouse]

I only grow the 'mange tout' variety, very successful, all I do, is use canes the 4/5 ft ones, and then attach some netting, the peas then just attach themselves and grow up the netting. I'm rubbish at 'netting and structures', but this is simple and works well. I usually do a couple of rows.

[Alison]

I only really grow tall climbing peas not the little dwarf ones so they need a good support system. I do this by using that plastic mesh stuff (the stiff stuff that comes in a roll) and threading 8' canes into it for support. Works really well and can be removed and reused every year. I did try using netting the first year and found it a pain as it knots up so easily when trying to put in place. Chicken wire would be fine I guess although I always cut myself on it as I'm quite clumsy

[Bal]

I only really grow tall climbing peas not the little dwarf ones so they need a good support system. I do this by using that plastic mesh stuff (the stiff stuff that comes in a roll) and threading 8' canes into it for support. Works really well and can be removed and reused every year. I did try using netting the first year and found it a pain as it knots up so easily when trying to put in place. Chicken wire would be fine I guess although I always cut myself on it as I'm quite clumsy

I'm growing the tall ones this year. What sort of mesh do you mean. I was going to use netting as I did for the runners last year, but the canes broke once the plants were really fruiting. I made a wigwam and planted 10 plants. Was that tto many

[Alison]

I'm growing the tall ones this year. What sort of mesh do you mean. I was going to use netting as I did for the runners last year, but the canes broke once the plants were really fruiting. I made a wigwam and planted 10 plants. Was that tto many

I use this for peas but struggle to add pics on the stoopid iPad so you can't see it very well, sorry.

[Bal]

I can see it thanks. Looks much easier than the netting I buy ��

[Gillykat]

I grew my first peas last year and just grew them up wigwams with bits of twine wrapped around for the peas to grab on to

I grew a strip of Hurst Green Shaft and some Sugar Snaps which, as it was my first time growing any veggies, I bought from my local garden centre. Potted them into bigger pots and kept them in the greenhouse for a week or two then hardened them off and, in late May, planted them out at the base of the wigwams. The mistake I made with the sugar snaps was NOT having them in the raised bed but in an open patch and next door's racing pigeons snaffled the lot! The Hurst Green Shaft grew ok though and I got loads of peas from them. I liked them so much that I bought a packet of the variety for this year

I found them really easy. This year I'll be a bit more organised and have some netting over my wigwams I think and see how that works

[spamvindaloo]

I used something similar to Alison but only the shorter width as I only grew short peas. It looks like it will last year after year.

[the big lebowski]

hi all thanks for the replys ,so do i have to cover my peas to stop the pigeons from eating them ? the peas im growing are from wilkos an it says they should be planted from feb to may so i still have time we had a fair bit of rain last week but this week is ment to be nice (today was lovely) should i sow half or wait abit ? any thoughts welcome ,cheers

[Alison]

The pigeons round here don't touch peas but will have a right go at any brassicas. Not much of a problem for me but some people have a lot of problems with pea weevils and need to cover for them.

[Bigmallly]

I'm breaking tradition this year & instead of growing up inverted V structures, I'm trying an X structure similar to this. The theory being they should be easier to pick as the peas will be on the outside of the frame not the inside. I'm growing Bijou Mangetout.

[Alison]

Mine is just vertical, no V or A so the peas just hang either side