netting peas

[the big lebowski]

hi all i have sown some sugar snap peas and normal peas ,the sugar snap peas came up but the leaves have been eaten and so i have ordered some netting as i think it was the pigeons that have eaten them do i need to net my peas for the whole time they are growing or just while the are seedlings ? any thoughts welcome ,cheers

[Bren In Pots]

My problem is Sparrows they eat all the tender shoots as they grow so i cover my tall telephone pea frame with Debris netting and leave it there the whole time. Its a bit of a pain but as least I get peas.

[Mr Bones]

Same here, keep them covered for the whole duration or the pigeons won't leave them alone. Have also found that if the netting is too close to the plants the pigeons squash it down to get at the shoots.

[Muddy_Boots]

Our pigeons at the lottie sit in the trees with bibs on and with a knife and fork in each wing just waiting for a newbie to leave their brassicas or peas uncovered, then for them its open season and they gorge themselves. People have come back to just stumps in the ground next morning, its a wonder they manage to fly they are so fat during the summer.

[GardenGayle]

I've never had to net peas, I guess the birds round here don't have a taste for them

[Bigmallly]

I've never had to net peas, I guess the birds round here don't have a taste for them

Likewise, I've never had to net them. It may pay to give them some protection whilst young.

[mothhawk]

Sparrows eat mine if I don't net them, I have wood pigeons, but they ignore the peas and spend their time circling the ground under the bird feeders, scoffing all the sunflower crumbs.

[the big lebowski]

thanks everyone ,i think i will net them while they are young and then have a chat with some people up there that have grown peas before and see what they think is best ,cheers