soak peas?

[janeyo]

Do I need to soak peas before sowing? I haven't before but they were spring sown.
Also can I also sow sweet peas now and do they also need or not need soaking?

Thanks

[Jeanied]

If it helps, I had a bit of experiment with soaking and not soaking broad bean seeds and sowing them a few weeks ago. I have to say the non-soaked won over the soaked ones. However I understand soaking helps prevent mice taking the seeds.

[Joanne]

Hi Jeanie,

I grew peas the first time last year, I didn't soak them and got good results, mum swears by soaking. Why not try both

[piskieinboots]

I'm not a soaker
*hides glass of red

[Alison]

No point whatsoever as far as I'm concerned and it can encourage rotting. I prefer to sow in modules (root trainers) and get them going inside for either autumn or early spring sowing but will direct sow in late spring. When direct sowing I always water the row before putting the seeds in, thereby ensuring good wetting.

[Shadylane]

The last lot I did, I didn't soak, but pre chitted them on some damp kitchen paper in a clear plastic tub(takeaway), until they'd sprouted, then popped in loo rolls. I had much better germination then simply sowing straight into the loo rolls. As for sweet peas, I'd like to know, cause I'm sure I read somewhere NOT to soak and instead to aid germination, use a knife to crack the casing which sounded like a whole load of faff.

[oldie]

I also sprout the peas on kitchen paper before planting. I have read that mice don't like the taste when they have sprouted and leave them alone.

[Two_Sheds]

I ...pre chitted them on some damp kitchen paper

Me too. I like to see if the seed is viable, it gives them a head start, and apparently mice don't nick them if they've chitted

[Two_Sheds]

it [soaking] can encourage rotting.

It can, if you do it for too long. I just soak mine overnight in cold water, then drain off onto kitchen towel. Let them chit for a couple of days, then plant out. Same method for beans and sweet peas: it works for me

[Flummery]

In ground as dry as ours is now I think it would really help to give the peas an overnight soak in cold water. Where else are they going to get moisture from, unless we have some prolonged and decent rain?
I presoaked and chitted my sweet peas last week. They were self saved and I wanted to be sure they were viable. As soon as the little roots peeped out I put them in compost and into the cold frame. They are now about an inch high and looking good!

[janeyo]

Ok so I didn't soak (but only cos I forgot to come abck and check the thread - doh!)

But they are in moist compost in loo rolls.

Not started with the sweetpeas yet. Ran out of compost (double doh! as was in garden centre this morning)

Thanks