Help for a newbie trying peas for the first time

[clairebear]

I've bought some pea plants a few days ago. They've come ina single plastic container about 10" x 2" and it's got around 20 plants in. Whats the best way for me to transplant these out, should I remove the whole lot in one go or should i separate each plant out. I was a little uncertain of doing this as I don't know how well peas cope with root disturbance.
Also I wanted to put them in a container of some sort. I've seen a few ways of giving them something to climb up including one where someone has surrounded the peas with chicken wire in an oblong shape and let them climb up that. Any tips on something suitable and easy to put up for them to climb up?
Any info would be very much appreciated

[Aberdeenplotter]

If you can get everything out of the tray, it will make separating the plants easier. Keeping the soil moist is critical with peas and if you can find a spot to plant them in the ground that would be best. Peas will climb up most things, old branches, twigs netting, twine, wire etc.

[Creemteez]

If you use a "column" of chicken wire you may find it difficult to harvest the peas - some of which will develop on the inside of the wire. Depending on the variety they can get quite tall (4ft +) so I'd be more inclined to go for a cane construction with maybe some woven lengths of twine for added support. That way you'll be able to access any which grow in the middle.

[lottie dolly]

always grow my peas up a single row of chicken wire,supported with canes woven down the net from top to bottom,then into the groung ,at least a foot deep,if you planting more than 1 row,leave a gap of apox 2feet,so you can go weed and pick,always works well for me,

[Potstubsdustbins]

Any container 8/9" deep will more than do the job. Plant them close no more than 2" apart. As your growing in a container leave about 6" between rows.

I have about 50 Kelverton Wonder per box in the pic 100 plants in total.

Colin

[Alison]

I grow mine in rows supported on that plastic mesh stuff which has holes about 2" square. Simply shove vertical canes through it at both ends (and one in the middle for luck) and up it climbs. I only really grow tall ones so they're all about 6' high so need good support. Was building a couple yesterday in the rain but at least I got the row of peas and mange tout in and they didn't need any extra watering

[Two_Sheds]

I don't know what you paid for your pea plants, but a packet of seed isn't much, and will give you loads of peas. You won't get more than a couple of dinners from 20 plants, so pop some seed in along with the plants. As said, about 2" apart

[cazp]

My first batch of peas (twinkle) are in progress, however the growth rate from plant to plant varies quite considereably - some plants being half (or less) the size of the taller ones .... It's almost as if there are two different types of pea growing... is this normal?

[Vince G]

Also my first crack at growing round peas (have grown mangetout before) so you are not alone out there!! I've also done what LottieDolly did, made a sort of u-shape with chicken wire threaded on canes. The entrance is about 2 feet wide so I can get in and pick / weed.

[Marcher]

Sorry to gatecrash the thread, but is it worth growing peas in containers? I was considering growing them in large rubber buckets or potato grow bags and training them up a teepee. I was thinking of doing the same with runner beans and sweet peas - is the yield much lower than in the ground?
Also, does anyone know if sweet peas fertilize normal peas? I was considering saving some as seed but don't want any surprises from any potential hybrids.

[zazen999]

Sorry to gatecrash the thread, but is it worth growing peas in containers? I was considering growing them in large rubber buckets or potato grow bags and training them up a teepee. I was thinking of doing the same with runner beans and sweet peas - is the yield much lower than in the ground?
Also, does anyone know if sweet peas fertilize normal peas? I was considering saving some as seed but don't want any surprises from any potential hybrids.

All peas are self-pollinating. By the time you see the flower, they have already been pollinated.

[northepaul]

Sorry to gatecrash the thread, but is it worth growing peas in containers? I was considering growing them in large rubber buckets or potato grow bags and training them up a teepee. I was thinking of doing the same with runner beans and sweet peas - is the yield much lower than in the ground?
Also, does anyone know if sweet peas fertilize normal peas? I was considering saving some as seed but don't want any surprises from any potential hybrids.

Oh yes, definately the best way! I find if I plant peas/pea plants in the ground, they never get any further than a few inches before being demolished by everything from slugs to rabbits! If you grow them in a container, you can move it/keep a closer eye on them and their raised from the ground too.

BTW I use cuttings from trees and willow to climb peas up with a string or similar around the outside to hold them upright.

I dont think runners do aswell in pots, as you need to support them as they grow very tall.

[Marcher]

Oh yes, definately the best way! I find if I plant peas/pea plants in the ground, they never get any further than a few inches before being demolished by everything from slugs to rabbits! If you grow them in a container, you can move it/keep a closer eye on them and their raised from the ground too.

BTW I use cuttings from trees and willow to climb peas up with a string or similar around the outside to hold them upright.

I dont think runners do aswell in pots, as you need to support them as they grow very tall.

Do they yield the same or any less?

[Potstubsdustbins]

In the right container and looked after correctly the yield will be the same or better. Plus as pointed out before you will have less of zero pest damage.

As to growing runners in containers again the answer is yes. You will need something the size of a Morrisons flower bucket for each plant. Again the yield will be as good or better again they will need looking after correctly.

In both cases you will have to be on the ball with your watering espec the runners. Both will need supplementary feeding as the compost will only supply food for about 6 weeks.

A couple of pics of my runners.

Potty