How much soil do peas need?

[d000hg]

My gardening book recommends using bits of guttering to get peas started in. I have a lovely sun-facing wall/fence in my garden - low wall 18" high with a fence sat on top so the wall acts like a ledge. I was thinking about putting long troughs along this and growing peas up the fence (6 feet) but they're all a bit deep to fit nicely, so I wondered if I could use a gutter or similar, or if this just wouldn't be enough soil?

[Penellype]

I would think guttering would be too shallow for peas. I start my peas off in 4 inch deep pots and the current lot are about 1 inch high. The roots are already showing through the holes at the bottom of the pots.

[d000hg]

Maybe I'll just need to look for the shallowest troughs I can find, or tie them up so they can't tip off the ledge.

Growing in pots/troughs is soil or compost (or a mix) best?

[Alison]

Guttering is brilliant for starting off a row of peas and I do all my early ones like this (later ones are direct sown). You simply push the whole length out into the ground when you plant out which is much less hassle than individual pots. However this most certainly wouldn't be sufficient for the whole life of the plants, not grown them in pots for years but suspect that you'd want something at least about a foot deep. Also remember, the shallower the pot then the more watering and feeding you'll need to do.

[Martin H]

All we are saying,
Is give peas a chance.

Sorry, I'll get me coat.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I grow peas successfully in 9" deep planters, tried 6" one year and failed...........