Author Topic: Peas - what am I doing wrong? (Read 5558 times)

Looby Loo · « **on:** June 23, 2006, 21:28:29 »

Last year I grew regular and sugar snap peas. I think I planted about 4 rows in total and only had about a dozen plants with not much sucess. This year I planted at least 50 sugar snap pea seeds but have only got 14 little plants. Everyone else on my site seems to have lovely lush peas. Where am I going wrong?

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2006, 21:30:41 »

When did you plant them? they don't like germinating in cold weather, so I started mine under cloches, and they did really well. Alternatively, it could have been birds or mice eating the seed.

Looby Loo · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2006, 21:35:00 »

I planted them about 4 or 5 weeks ago. Hasn't been too cold down here since then.

Thanks

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2006, 22:03:49 »

We can eliminate that one then. What about pests? Or have you planted it in a spot which might be unsuitable somehow?

Mrs Ava · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2006, 22:09:41 »

I lost an entire row to either Mr Vole or Mrs Mouse a few weeks ago, and they were under close netting! A chap on our site soaks his pea seeds in parafin for an hour or so before sowing to taint them, the meeces leave them well alone then.

Little Bean · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2006, 22:33:10 »

I had a pathetic 6 plants from 2 rows sown on my plot so I can sympathise. I can't offer any advice but I would like to know if there are any late varieties of peas I can sow now.

I have done some Internet research but without much luck. There are a lot of Google entries to plough through.

Mrs Ava · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2006, 22:37:57 »

Yes, you can sow now. I have just ordered some from Marshalls, but I can't remember their name! I shall look and come back!

Back! On the Marshalls website, go to autumn harvesting veggies and on page 3 I think, there are several different pea varieties. http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/rkMain.asp?PAGEID=20658

I ordered fortune I think. ;D

Little Bean · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2006, 23:03:28 »

Brilliant, thanks for your quick reply Emma-Jane, I'm going to place an order now.

Hubby will be happy, he loves fresh peas ;D

Mrs Ava · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2006, 23:07:04 »

So do we! Am hoping with a little protection and good luck, we will have fresh peas with our Christmas dinner!

supersprout · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2006, 05:49:32 »

:o Emma-Jane ;D may I pop over with my trug please? :P

Looby, do you soak or sprout your peas before sowing? ::)

Emagggie · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2006, 07:58:18 »

Quote

Looby, do you soak or sprout your peas before sowing?

Is that what to do? ::) I'm learning fast here. Similar problem with 2 sowings and minimal plants here. (But you should see my artistic arrangement for supports of existing plants ;D)

tim · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2006, 08:26:58 »

How NOT to plant peas?
These were just sprouting in a tray for use as pea-sprouts. We had too many, so I sliced the roots into 4 thin strips & laid them in a shallow 'trench'. But we're getting peas!

What broadies are those, Emma? Like the colour.

Looby Loo · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2006, 12:42:52 »

Supersprout

I don't soak or sprout them at all. Should I be doing this then?

What exactly do I need to do?

Thanks

Loo

supersprout · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2006, 14:40:02 »

Hi looby, I got lousy peas :-[ until a) I sprouted them (just) between two flannels first and b) sowed them thickly enough! Jennym recommended sowing thickly in a seed tray til they are small sprouts then strewing them in the normal way, and tim seems to have taken it a step further ;D
adrianhumph's instructions on the wiki, from this thread: http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,17821.0
There's never a 'should' with gardening ;) but the sprouting seems to help them get a grip.
And protection until they are big.
And putting the pea support in when you sow.
Still time to experiment this year?

Looby Loo · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2006, 17:33:19 »

Excellent. Thanks Supersprout. I will get sprouting straight away.

mc55 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 24, 2006, 23:28:50 »

my peas and sugarsnaps have been decimated. 20 didn't even make it out of the potting shed before they were snaffled (my little vole family maybe). Decided to direct sow into a bed, about half made it and since then they've nearly all been 'pecked' clean.

Some very plump pigeons spotted trying to take off from my plot >:( >:(

tim · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2006, 10:59:22 »

Fine & dandy, Sprouty, but don't do it my way - far too closely sown!!

Just hoping we get something for nothing.

Mrs Ava · « **Reply #17 on:** June 25, 2006, 22:35:32 »

They are something like Red Epicure Tim. I will dig out the packet and post name and company. I bought them cheapcheap in Devon last Autumn. It was the last chance for Broadies for me as the previous years crops were ruined by mive/voles/jays. This year thanks to lots of netting and me picking them younger, I have 2 big bag fulls in the freezer already! ;D

Looby Loo · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2006, 11:26:56 »

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I soaked my peas and then sprouted them. I now have a lovely healthy row of peas coming through.

supersprout · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2006, 12:12:37 »

Result! ;D

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Author Topic: Peas - what am I doing wrong? (Read 5558 times)