Avoiding pea moth

[w33blegurl]

Morning all!

Upon trawling my seed box (possibly more like a crate...) I came across some peas. I've not bought or grown any for a few years as they always got caught by pea moth. Having done a wee bit of reading this morning, it looks like the moth is active June-Aug so are avoidable (I don't want to use insecticide). Am I too late to get some in the ground to have a go at avoiding infestation for this year, or am I better waiting now until autumn and doing an early sowing for next year then? For info, I'm in Kent and the varieties of peas I found lurking are Petit Pois Calibra and Douce Provence in case it makes a big difference!

Ta muchly!

[annie8]

No you are not too late at all. I have started mine in the gh but haven’t planted any out yet.

[ameno]

Have you considered just completely covering your row of peas with insect mesh or fleece?
Peas are self-setting, so do not require access by pollinating insects. It's perfectly fine to completely cover them.

[w33blegurl]

Have you considered just completely covering your row of peas with insect mesh or fleece?
Peas are self-setting, so do not require access by pollinating insects. It's perfectly fine to completely cover them.

Hi Ameno

I had actually not realized that! I always assumed they needed some bee access, so I might give it a go but cover them and see how I get on!
Thanks!

[ameno]

I thought they needed pollinated, too,until a couple years ago.
I had to cover mine last year, as sparrows kept ravaging the shoot tips, and they all still set pods and gave a good crop anyway.

[Bren In Pots]

I grow tall Telephone peas and cover the lot with debris netting its the only way to keep Sparrows and pea moth away.

[Sweet savory]

I also grow douce Provence and find because they mature early they are hardly troubled by pea moth. They were started at the beginning of Feb and planted out just over a week ago. Also quite short plants so relatively easy to cover if needed.

[Penellype]

I grow peas in my mesh tunnel at the allotment and have had no issues with pea moth so far (2 years). When growing them outside I find if I grow nasturtiums nearby it tends to deter, but not completely prevent pea moth.