Peas

[Jo.T]

I have some peas 'Spring' growing in the greenhouse - does anyone know when it is safe to plant them out. The packet does say you can sow outside from Fe/March so will they be ok if i harden them off first?

[Alison]

Should be fine but as you say harden them off first. If we have a really sharp cold snap you can protect them with a bit of fleece to be on the safe side if you want.

[rustylady]

Peas are hardy, so should be fine planted out now. It's germination that takes the time if the weather is cold. However, if you've had them in the greenhouse the growth is probably a bit "soft", so harden them off by standing outside for a few days (bringing them in at night or covering them)

[Wendy]

Hi Jo, i put my peas out 2 weeks ago..........they are doing really well, they are in long pots so i just bring them at night if there is any frost forcast......so far we've been quite lucky here with the weather

[borage]

I've sown peas but they are not germinating any tips would be appreciated.

[Jo.T]

I sowed mine five weeks ago in unheated greenhouse and all have germinated! Sowed a second lot 1 week ago and no sign yet but thought bit early yet. We in the north so unhested greenhouse is still chilly - think take a little time.

[Alice]

Where did you sow them Borage - indoors, outdoors, how long ago ?

[Weavie]

Twinkle is a good early variety. I sowed some in guttering in Feb which are about 5" tall now and in the ground under a cloche. They have survived the low temperatures and snow. More germinating in guttering in greenhouse. Will sow Jaguar (second early) this weekend in ground and cover with fleece till germinated. Oregon Sugar snap mange toute is also hardy. Made an autumn sowing which is really taking off now (outside).
The various seed catalogues are very good to look at as they list the earlies etc and normally give a discount if you buy the season's peas in one hit.

[borage]

Haven't got a greenhouse so they were sown indoors 2 weeks ago - am I being too impatient?

[Wendy]

Haven't got a greenhouse so they were sown indoors 2 weeks ago - am I being too impatient?

I think they should be ok........i was so impatient that i germinated ages ago!!, put them out a couple of weeks ago and they are now looking lovely and about 10" tall

[Paulottie]

Most peas varieties don't mind cool weather once hardened off and growing them now avoids pea moth, but I have used fleece during this cold snap. I am using the guttering method this year in a sparsely heated but well insulated greenhouse. I found flat bottomed fibreglass type in a skip: 2x 1.5 metre lengths....ideal. My third batch have germinated and hardly a miss. It is such a good system because so many hungry creatures want to eat a freshly sprouted pea. it also means they get onto their support quickly... essential (I find chicken wire the best support. much less annoying than nylon or twigs.and can double over to dissuade birds).

Now all I have to avoid is the mischievous mob of sparrows here. They love to pick off the flowers. I find cotton tedious and cd's useless and ugly. any suggestions?

[Jo.T]

Thanks for all of the tips - i have started hardening off this weeked so fingers crossed todays wonderful weather continues!

[Spliblob]

by the by, what do mean by hardening?

I have a packet of Kelvedon Wonder from Sainsbury's. which said sow later, but if you chaps are off...

i didn't really understand the instructions, either.

"sow in a zig-zig pattern along the drill" whats a drill? can I germinate them in one of those square-sectioned trays with a clear roof?

sorry, by the way, for butting in.

[Paulottie]

'Hardening off' means: taking them out of the greenhouse each morning on all but the most miserable days and bringing them in at night- 10 days should do it. otherwise the shock can seriously set back your plants. you can also use a coldframe if you have one.

A traditional pea drill is a flat bottomed trench aprox 2" deep and 6" wide scooped and dragged out with a spade. then cover bottom of it with peas spaced an " or 2" apart in all directions.

I wouldn't advise growing peas in polypaks as you find the roots dangling everywhere and they dont like being disturbed/damaged. Really, just sow them up 4' or 5' pieces of guttering and then slip the whole lot into a depression in the soil when your peas reach 6" high. encorage them onto their support ASAP. Good luck

[Spliblob]

great.
peas will grow in pots too won't they?