Gutter peas!

[Snadger]

Just verification that the peas sown in plastic guttering indoors really works!
I planted out my Purple Podded Peas today (seed saved from last year) which were sown in guttering earlier in the year. Really impressed at how much root they had made and how easy it was to transfer to the soil.
From now on, all my peas will be sown in guttering. I'll just have to remember not to use the gutter for it's original purpose as it has now got drainage holes in it.
As my plot has four foot wide beds and four foot is quite a manageable length of guttering to store and use Ill have to scrounge a few more lengths!

[rustylady]

Well done, Snadger. I keep meaning to try this, but just don't have the room in the greenhouse. It's absolutely packed with germinating seeds, plants that are nearly ready to go outside, etc. It's true what they say, your greenhouse is never big enough!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

If only I could get my paws on some guttering........seriously, thanks for the advice Snadger!

[Truly_Scrumptious]

Gutter peas

Id take a look in other people's skips especially where they have builders in! I got some excellent guttering from one!

[Paulottie]

Snadger, welcome to the club. great isn't it! Bernie you've got to get some and RL you've got to get a cold frame. I ended up with a 2nd greenhouse. a neighbour didn't want- now have one just for propagation. Try looking in the local paper sometimes i see them really cheap/free if you dismantle and collect them.

Welcome to the vine Truly Scrumptious. I'm incapable of passing a skip without looking to see if there is something handy in there. I was bad before I started veg growing but am now beyond redemption! my wife despairs.

[TonyF]

I've bagged a load of guttering from chum's ongoing house renovation - they're having a new roof put on and I'm scavenging as much as I can for their/my garden.

And the roofers are also gardeners so we talk recycling a lot.

[Paulottie]

Is it the galvernised stuff the french fabricate on site, or plastic Tony?

[Kimbo]

I am definitely trying this method next year, this year I sowed into modules and what a complete pain to get them out without a) damaging the peas and b) destroying the modules and having to buy new.

[SuzieP]

Well done, Snadger. I keep meaning to try this, but just don't have the room in the greenhouse...

I suspend mine from loops of string from the ceiling - takes up no working room at all.
PS I don't have a green house just a lean to utility room where all my seedlings go so very short on space but hanging gutters is great for all sorts

[TonyF]

Hi Paulottie, it's the galvinised stuff so much that I'll have enough to regutter their barn AND still have enough to sort out the peas next year.

[poshfan]

glad to see someone got something out of their Purple Podded......I put a packet into guttering but got zero germination; had to go and buy a fresh packet of seeds - Kelvedon Wonder, this time - and start again; got a good result this time but my plants are going to be so late.....

[vicki lorraine]

I have also used the guttering method for my peas.
However i did find the transfering into the ground really hard. How do you slide the peas out?Do you slide a little out at a time.
Perhaps i transfered too early as there was not so much root but lots of top growth (bout 3 inches) Did i perhaps transfer too early?

[Snadger]

I have also used the guttering method for my peas.
However i did find the transfering into the ground really hard. How do you slide the peas out?Do you slide a little out at a time.
Perhaps i transfered too early as there was not so much root but lots of top growth (bout 3 inches) Did i perhaps transfer too early?

Mine had about 5" of top growth and the roots were matted! I watered them well and slid mine out sideways into a prepared trench. I only did it a couple of days ago and they have already started to climb the wire mesh support!

[vicki lorraine]

When you say sideways do you mean out of the side by tipping it in the direction of the curve or did you slide them out longways? ( does this make sense?_)

[Paulottie]

I go long ways with four foot lengths- but then my gutter is a flat bottomed sort. The art is to pull back as your sliding out.(as the actress no doubt said to the bishop) I have had to push first 1/2 out with hand then go again before -but not usually