Peas - Kelvedon Wonder

[faerieprincess]

I've grown some Kelvedon Wonder peas a little early, just to see how they go, and I have 5 little seedlings desperate for something to hold onto now - and I can't bear the thought of killing them off. I was intending to put them into a mini greenhouse first, and then a cold frame, but I think they really need something to climb up.

So 2 questions :

1 - I have a 90 cm metal obelisk which I want to train the peas up in a bit pot, the peas are supposed to grow to 60cm. But the obelisk goes in at the top, like a wigwam. Will it get too crowded at the top? Or will it just balance itself out????

2 - Should I give them something temporary to climb up and pop them into the new pot and then into the mini greenhouse, or am I better off putting the obelisk straight over them and then getting some fleece or something else to cover the obelisk and pot to protect from the cold outside?

Last year's attempt at growing peas was a complete and utter failure as they got chomped to bits - I assume from slugs and snails but can't be sure (started outside in May). We life in a different area now though - but still wanted to start them off inside to protect them from little nasties.

[shirlthegirl43]

I grow peas for shoots at this time of the year. I cut the tops off when they get to about 4 or 5 inches tall and eat them - they taste just like fresh peas (for some odd reason). I guess you could pinch your peas off (above the lowest set of leaves) and they should grow again - probably with two shoots - and be ready to plant out later on.

To be honest though, you won't get many peas from just 5 plants

[faerieprincess]

Really? Shoots? Hmm, hadn't thought of that.

These were just my experiment which I am loath to 'kill off', 5 out of 6 germinated and I'm proud of my little babies! I bought some heated window sill propagators and just HAD to try them out!

I plan on doing a whole bunch more as soon as the tomatoes are big enough to get off my window sill and into the mini greenhouse. More of the smaller peas in long planter pots and a bunch of taller ones in the small patch of ground I've cleared for a veggie garden.

[shirlthegirl43]

If you want to give the pea shoots a try, it is really easy - put a half-inch of compost in a container, cover with pea seeds (dried peas from the supermarket work fine), cover with compost and keep moist. A windowsill is fine as peas don't really need heat to germinate. Just cut them once they are thick enough (leaving the lowest pair of leaves) and they will grow again.

Eat raw in salads or lightly steamed

[pugsie]

Hi I am new to the forum. Grew some kelvedon wonder last year, just 5 in a pot with 3ft bamboo wigwam. They did really well, only managed to cook one lot tho' the others were eaten by sons and nephews! I planted direct into the pot in mid-end April. Have progressed to a raised bed this year and am hoping for help from all of you very helpful people on this fantastic forum. Keep up the good work you are real inspiration to us newbies!!

[blito]

Hi
My 3-year old daughter helped me sow our kelvedon wonder yesterday in seed trays in the greenhouse. she actually did really well, one pea per square, lightly pushed in and covered with a sprinkle of compost and given and drink. Not sure which of us is the more impatient to see the seedlings rise first!

[faerieprincess]

Thanks Pugsie! That sounds exactly like I want to do this year! I might just give them some temporary bamboo supports which I can leave in the pot and pop the obelisk over the top of it all when it's warmer.

I adore fresh peas, so I doubt any of these will be going into a pot. Perfect little nibbles when I'm sitting out on the patio.

Blito - I have a year to go before I can look forward to that sort of help. My 2year old boy would be throwing them around at the moment, not helping me plant them!!!

shirlthegirl43 - the pea shoots sound like fun, and I like your idea of using the supermarket ones, they'd be a bit cheaper I assume! I'll give it a try when I have some free window sill space. If they taste like peas I'm sure I'll love them in a salad.