Peas

[Two_Sheds]

Spliblob, the main thing with peas is don't disturb the roots. So if you want to sow in pots, put them in biodegradable pots, like WiZeR's ones. I've got lots of them on my kitchen table by the window - I'll be plonking the whole lot in the ground in a couple of weeks when the soil's warmed up a tad
http://www.wizer.co.uk/?p=29

PS. Highly recommend 'Grow Your Own Veg' by Carol Klein

[Paulottie]

Twosheds is right. looroll tubes are a great alternative for sowing peas and sweetcorn. save em up!`. you can also wrap news paper around a tube to make your version but put a strip of paper in the other direction first to fashion a bottom for your peat free pot.

[Michelle]

We planted our peas direct a couple of weeks ago, but there's no sign of life.

We don't have a greenhouse or anything (just a tiny shed), but I hadn't thought of doing them in the paper pots (I've got one of those paper potter wooden tools to make them).

If I make some up and start some more peas off on my windowsill, then plant them at the allotment in a few weeks will that be more successfull?

[ysb33r]

We don't have a greenhouse or anything (just a tiny shed), but I hadn't thought of doing them in the paper pots (I've got one of those paper potter wooden tools to make them).

If I make some up and start some more peas off on my windowsill, then plant them at the allotment in a few weeks will that be more successfull?

I paper potted my peas. In this way I could see exactly how many germinated. It was easier to space them out as well. They are growing happily underneath cloches in the lottie.

[Paulottie]

Michelle, Just make the pots as deep as your little wooden former thing will allow and they should go fine. Maybe even as good as your prize parsnip. Did you start them in paper pots? looks like drainpipe/dustbin method!

Did you put a cloche over others? I agree with ysb33r. Good seed costs time or money and I found pea sprouting sketchy last year, even in summer. I hate gappy rows so if you can get them started great. Peas are definately worth sowing sucessionally. they are superb at their best and go over quickly

[stigoftheplot]

I always use loo roll middles as peas have long roots. When they're ready give them a soaking so cardboard is wet, and plant the whole thing. I dont get up the plot daily so I dont harden off my seedlings, but when they come out of the greenhouse they go into a cloche (with ends) or under 2litre bottles for at least 2 weeks. Works for me. My first 4 rows peas have been out for 3-4 weeks under cloches, and doing a treat.

[Michelle]

Thanks Paul, I'll try and get that done soon then - not enough hours in the day!

No, we didn't put cloches over the first lot, probably a mistake, we were in a bit of a rush... I just wanted to plant something!

The parsnips were sown direct last year, our first year growing veg. If you saw that one close up you'd see it's actually a bit manky and most of it was thrown away, but it looked impressive so we had to take a pic!

[Paulottie]

I was inspired to get out my paper potter. Michelle, you're right, it takes forever! BUT HEY, that's veg growing for you. but after each each years mistakes. I get a little better at estimating what and how much to grow, and ways to be time efficient. but it is better to spend more time to guarantee a crop than waste slightly less time on a failiure.

I use the plastic bottle cloche for sweetcorn. I find they blow over, unless you can twist them in in a rare stone free spot. Any anchoring suggestions stig?

[sez]

I must have had beginner's luck then, as I'd never done peas before and mine are doing fine

Mine (Meteor and Sugar Snap) were planted inside in loo roll tubes mid feb, and planted out into pots in mid march. They weren't hardened off, though i gave them some fleece and plastic bottle windbreaks when it was really windy/snowy here. They're doing great now and about 10" tall