Overwintered peas in greenhouse

[Loudbarker1]

With the peas seeds from the mag and what's left over from last spring I thought I might plant some peas seeds to overwinter in the greenhouse. I've done this with broad beans successfully to get an early crop (thought the plants looked pretty soft compared with their outdoor peers) so don't see why I can't do this with peas.

My questions are: has anyone done this and were there problems with pollenation, and what varieties might I add to those I have?

I will plant are meteor from the mag and two heritage tall varieties, telephone and champion of England (both from the real seed company). I'm not too hopeful about the tall ones, so may get some Felton First to sow as well.

Any other suggestions gratefully received.

LB

[BertieFox]

You would be better growing a ROUND pea as these are winter hardy, rather than a wrinkled variety. Choose a first early type. Our problem in the polytunnel wasn't germination or the frost but the mice which had almost every seed and then started to eat the pea shoots once the few remaining germinated! So take precautions against vermin! Peas should do just as well as broad beans and if you open the windows on warm days some pollinating insects will come in. I think most peas are self fertile anyway, from what I remember about Gregor Mendel and his pea breeding experiments!

[Two_Sheds]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...elp_41557.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ter_22390.html

[zazen999]

Peas are pollinated before the flower opens - there is no issue with that. I sowed some a week and a bit ago and already have the netting in place for the climbers...it had cucumber on it during the summer and as I made it - I didn't want to compost it just yet...

[kathyd]

Mice definitely a big problem! I pre-germinated my peas to try to minimise this. Not tried autumn sown peas before, but climbing yellow peas sown in spring did brilliantly in the tunnel.

[Acanthus]

Mice too. Mine grew very well all winter and flowered early, but mice got to the pods before I noticed them. Ended up with traps all along the row,poor things.

[Snadger]

I still have some of my climbing French beans ripeninmg on the vine for next years seed. They were planted to make use of the gable end of the greenhouse and have ben a great success.
Can't imagine there will be too much growth over winter so might give a dwarf variety of peas a try in one of the beds. Growing kale ,spring cabbage and garlic in beds as toms are finishing at the mo.

[Newton]

I grew a lovely crop last year. All went well until the greenfly moved in. I failed to temper their breeding and the greenhouse turned into an aphid hothouse........

Kill at sight......

[hollychap]

you could plant them in morrisons buckets with the bottoms cut out , that would solve the mouse problem

[Alison]

A mouse problem is not a given, I don't suffer with them at all so don't get paranoid.

[Loudbarker1]

Thankis to all. The Jack Russell will be relocated to the greenhouse on mouse patrol.

Any other thoughts on varieties?