wanted! hassle free pea growing

[Two_Sheds]

I planted out my paper-pot sown peas (see pic: look at the roots on those!)
Am using prunings from various shrubs as pea-sticks. Unfortunately the sycamore prunings, which have been drying out since November, have rooted!

[Birdie Wife]

I did quite well with half an old pack of peas, I wasn't sure what the germination rate would be like so I germinated them inside on damp kitchen roll in a bean sprouter, and then as soon as they germinated I planted them out in trenches. Now have lovely full rows of peas poking their heads above ground, not bad for an experiment!

[Snadger]

Hi Snadger, do you use the bog standard green netting? I've just been given some Show perfection Peas and they go to 6ft and I was wondering what to do with them.

Hi Nick, I have access to alll sorts of old netting cos I work at a sports ground! Sorry, thats not much help to you I know but I use football nets,(for runner beans)five a side nets,(for peas) hockey nets (for covering brassicas)) Tennis nets(for broad beans)!
The only downside of using netting for peas and beans is the disentangling of crops at the end of season!

[nick the grief]

My son plays hockey ...... I'll nick their nets

[Paulottie]

Try chicken wire u-tacked to a couple of posts easy to clean/burn off haulms.

I can't recommend gutter method as out lined by Snadger enough. it really worked for me this year.

[summer]

Alderman

I grow the tall peas Alderman,Ne plus ultra and purple podded (to save my back when picking!)so will have netting for them to scramble up!

I grew these peas a few years back but since have been unable them. Where do you buy your Alderman seed from please?

Summer

[Snadger]

I grew these peas a few years back but since have been unable them. Where do you buy your Alderman seed from please?

Summer

Funny you should say that, but I found them hard to get as well! Quite a few seed merchants stock them early in the season but they seem to get snapped up pretty quickly.
I try and support my local allotment association so ordered some from them.

They are King's seeds so you will probably be able to order them online!

[Michelle]

I posted a couple of weeks ago that my peas hadn't germinated, and was planning to put some in paper pots after advice from some helpful grapes.

Anyway, things have been a bit manic and I didn't get round to it.

Finally got down to the allotment yesterday to find there are lots of peas poking through the soil!

Problem is something has been munching on them and they're looking a bit sorry for themselves.

What are the chances they'll pull through?

I'm now going to be busy with my broken egg shells and jars of beer to get those pesky slugs....

[Paulottie]

Hi Michelle, don't forget the pesky pigeons (cotton can work)

[Michelle]

Thanks for the advice Paul - do I just stretch it across the top of the row?

Bet Petworth is beautiful today - I work in Chichester and the district is such a beautiful part of the world!

[sticklebricks]

Thank you all, we are now confident to transplant out our peas beneath our bamboo net structure that NASA would be proud of !
Joking aside does anybody know if climbing and runner beans will traverse the net or shall we stick to canes for these ?

[Paulottie]

Hi Michelle,

Yep, put in a few sticks and zig zag it about a bit. or If you use twiggy birch/hazel sticks for support then lay them along the row now that helps (and it is good to support early growth -once they're on they're off!) I like chicken wire best if you've got some it kinda doubles for protection and support. I hope they make it but sow some more now those are up.

Cracking day here thanks. It seemed like summer. I'm in a village called Lodsworth if you know it.

[Paulottie]

Thank you all, we are now confident to transplant out our peas beneath our bamboo net structure that NASA would be proud of !
Joking aside does anybody know if climbing and runner beans will traverse the net or shall we stick to canes for these ?

As 2sheds said beans twine up & beans cling. so string or sticks are better than net unless it has a big mesh..... but it ain't rocket science

[Paulottie]

Seem to be having conversation with myself again!!! should have taken the tablets.

It might be pea weavil that's to blame Michelle. I don't know what to do about them, but we've been discussing it over on broad bean thread

[Michelle]

Thought I'd better reply so you don't feel like you're talking to yourself anymore!

I'll keep an eye on the peas and see what happens. The broad beans, which I planted quite late, do seem to have suffered a little bit, but not as much. I'll take a look at the other thread - thanks.

I know of Lodsworth, but have never been there. I work for the District Council - one of my jobs is writing for Initiatives magazine if you read that? Should be dropping through your door next week sometime!