Garden peas.

[cheops]

Does anyone grow peas and let a few pods mature so you can collect seeds for next year? I am wondering is this recommended or not. I’ve grown lots of peas this year and would like to do the same next year.

[Jimny14]

Don't see why not, I ve done exactly that with no problems. I don't think you have to worry about disease etc. I'd just pick your best plant (largest, heaviest cropper, taste etc you decide what's best) and let it grow peas and start to dry on the plant. Then keep them cool and dry in a paper bag, envelope etc.

[cheops]

Thanks Jimmy. I shall collect some.

[Jimny14]

Do it every year from your best plant and in theory you'll end up with a pea more suited for your ground and area. Should only take a couple of decades.

[rary]

Just as jimny14 has said and as long as seeds are not f1s they will be fine

[Aberdeenplotter]

Cheops,

I grow peas for exhibition, in fact in 2014 I won the Pea class in the National Vegetable Society National Championships at Dorchester. I grow a variety named Show Perfection and save my own seed annually. This variety grows nice long uniform pods and can contain up to 14 peas per pod. I save only pods containing 11 peas or more and only pods without missing peas. This is because fullness of pod is one of the criteria that entries are judged on and spaces in pods can lead to entries being overlooked. Judges normally open at least one pod per exhibit so there is no guarantee of hiding a space in a pod.

It's also very easy to see any spaces through the pod using a flashlamp or the torch app on a mobile phone.

My best pods usually end up on the show bench and after a show, I keep the pods in a dry, well aired place until dry. I then open each pod and save the seed in batches according to the number of peas per pod. i.e., I keep all the 11's, 12's,13's in separate containers making sure that the peas are completely dry before sealing the containers.

[Bren In Pots]

I grow Telephone peas and have saved the seeds for the past 6 years I leave them on the plant until the pods are crisp and dry.

[cheops]

Thanks everyone. I shall be deleting pea seeds off my list to buy next year. Aberdeen plotter - very interesting stuff. My torch is normally used for nocturnal slug hunting but now I have another use for it thanks to you.
As a matter of interest what causes a ‘missing pea’.
Also I am finding a little caterpillar in approx 1 in 50 pods and a damaged pea with frass. Can this intruder be spotted with a flashlight?

[Two_Sheds]

Also I am finding a little caterpillar in approx 1 in 50 pods and a damaged pea with frass.

Pea moth
You need to net the crop during flowering

[cheops]

Do the pea flowers not need to be pollinated Two Sheds?

[SarrissUK]

Should only take a couple of decades.

hahaha that made me laugh.

As a side note, I'll be 65 in 20 years and I best get started. I don't even grow peas

[Two_Sheds]

Do the pea flowers not need to be pollinated Two Sheds?

Nope. Peas pollinate themselves before the flowers open

[Aberdeenplotter]

As a matter of interest what causes a ‘missing pea’.

If I had an asnwer to that I'd be a very happy bunny. I'm assured that it's safe to grow peas from a pod with missing peas as it's very unlikely that they will produce pods with missing peas but I prefer not to take the chance and I like to keep my seed stock as pure as possible.

I've never been bothered by Pea Moth damage but try your flashlight on your next 50 peas and you will find out.

[dennyjim]

Hi, Can anyone tell me the sweetest pea to grow?
Before it is said, I mean eating peas, not the flowers :-)

[Thelma Sanders]

I really think Hurst Greenshaft peas are the sweetest, but I'm sure we all have our own favourites