Early peas - is it worth it?

[busylizzie]

I sowed some Kelvedon Wonder peas back in mid-Feb in an unheated conservatory (which doubles as my greenhouse! ). Only about half of them have germinated and only in the last week or two.

I sowed a second lot of peas (Kelvedon Wonder and Hurst Greenshaft) just over a week ago and they are almost all up already and will catch up to the Feb peas in a couple of days time!

Hmm, think I should have contained my enthusiasm a bit and just waited a few weeks in the first place!

[sez]

Maybe it depends on the variety... i thought kelvedon wonder were a bit later on? I sow some Meteor way back in .. god, probably early feb or before, which are happily growing in the garden now (about 95% germination) ... i also put some more in (on the windowsill in our cold kitchen!) about 2 weeks ago which have 100% germination rate and are growing quickly!

[busylizzie]

Ah, I thought Kelvedon were supposed to be good for early sowing, maybe I've messed that up then!

[moggssue]

I thought KW were good for earlier on as well - shows what I know hey

[Alison]

I grew Meteor early last year with some success, they certainly germinated well but got a bit of a bad time in heavy winds after they were planted out.

[sez]

It's more likely that I'm wrong then, I'm certainly no expert!

Can't remember where I got it from but I have this scribbled down in my notebook re: when to plant peas.


for may/jun crop, plant undercover at end of feb/early march (feltham first, meteor, pilot)

for jun/july crop sow mid march, round varieties s above or kelvedon wonder, beagle, early onward.

for august crop choose maincrop variety such as alderman, senetor, sown end apr/early may onward.

for sept/oct crop sow a first early wrinkled end of jun / early july (kelvedon wonder, pioneer).

as I said can't remember where i got this from so please dont take it as gospel!

[brooklynodog]

I always soak my peas in water for a couple of days, seems to speed up germination

[Paulottie]

Little Marvel are just that!...Think they are earlies -I grow them like that. I find with early peas they are finished before the pea moths get going and are just so delicious.

Won't bore you but guttering method and chicken wire supports a winner

Here they are in March and the end of April last year...Ha!

[ConstantGardener]

in answer to your question... no.

I've just lost my entire November-sown plants to a combination of horrible weather conditions and mice. Am extremely upset about it (must stop getting so emotionally involved with vegetable plants....!)

I've now got some normal March sown peas coming up in a mice-proof place and they'll go out later this month hopefully, weather permitting. I seem to remember from last year getting a better crop from my March-sown peas, too.

The varieties I'm using are the usual earlies - Meteor mostly. I probably ought to try Little Wonder but to be honest I've lost hope and don't think I'll bother with early sowings next year - it's just not worth it.

[Sue]

Hi
T & M did a special offer on 4 variety of peas to see you through the season.
Just planted out Twinkle for May eating as the first one, then it's Jaguar, Endevour and finally Balmoral which is supposed to see me through to October.

I've started with the Twinkle, good germination, 29 out of 30 (after resowing following a mice invasion in the greenhouse) good healthy plants.

Sue

[kirsty b]

Got some KW in guttering, would they be ok to go out now? What is best way to protect them from marauding pigeons? Strung up CD's, chicken wire, sticks, a gun...?
Hurst greenshaft planned as maincrop.

[Akela Ben]

I have been growing KW peas every two weeks since the end of January in an unheated conservatory and they are doing brilliantly. I have about 80+ in the polytunnel since Tuesday and another 80+ going in on Friday. (we're not mad we just love peas) Each plant is growing up a piece of string each.

[moggssue]

I've just sown some meteor in guttering in the cold frame. When they're up and running I'll try some KW for the next succession I think - interested to know your thoughts on the difference in taste??? Are the earlies any sweeter for being younger?

[si'sraisedbed]

I sowed KW at the begining of Feb as they were billed as an early type. Nothing came through, then it rained hard and then the ground froze. Just had a little dig aroung and they are more like mushy peas from a tin than anything else. May have another go, may not bother....