Topic: peas not germinating

[Simon05]

Hi all,

I have been having trouble with my peas the last 2 couple of years, either they rot in the soil or only a few germinate outside, yet if I sow the same seed in a border in the greenhouse I get very good germination and lots of peas.  The only difference I have done the last 2 years is not scatter lime of the top once covered up. I have scraped away the soil and no peas at all in some cases.

any ideas? I understand the rotting is down to too wet soil. But no peas? could it be mice,birds, squirrels?

[Tee Gee]

Have you ever tried this method ( as shown in week 16) https://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Content/P/Peas/Peas.htm

Over the last few years we have been getting much higher rainfall around the time we would be sowing pea seeds at least this method avoids this happening.

[Simon05]

Thanks for the reply not tried that method but it's the way to go with all the rain

[JanG]

I’ve always had little or no germination from sowing pea seeds directly into the ground. I’d be fairly certain it’s small rodents.
It’s far more reliable to sow them either in modules or in lengths of guttering. Even then I would suspend them somehow from the roof of the greenhouse or sow them indoors to prevent mice reaching them.

[Tiny Clanger]

I've successfully sown direct for years sowing Onward, Hurst, Blau Schoke and Sugar snap. However, I've Never had more than 4 germinate from full packets of Alderman or Telephone. It was Alderman this year. 4 growing. I think I'll have them up and get some cabbage in 😖

[JanG]

That’s very odd, Timy Clanger. Your mice are very selective!
Were they sown at the same time? I’ve found with broad beans that I have success with direct sowing when the sowings are later. Presumably more available elsewhere by then.

[Simon05]

I’ve always had little or no germination from sowing pea seeds directly into the ground. I’d be fairly certain it’s small rodents.
It’s far more reliable to sow them either in modules or in lengths of guttering. Even then I would suspend them somehow from the roof of the greenhouse or sow them indoors to prevent mice reaching them.

thanks for the reply going to try guttering or modules next season

[Tiny Clanger]

Hi Jan G,   

Its only the tall climbing peas I seem to have problems with. NEVER managed to get more than a couple germinated and growing. (4 this year -t hey have been grubbed up and collard greens put in) All the other peas are doing very well.  Broad beans: I sow Claudia direct in Early October and never had a failure yet. Double rows just over a meter tall and the beans are set.  Lord knows what goes wrong every time I try to grow the tall peas   

[George the Pigman]

Had that problem last year and suspected birds were the culprit so sowed some under netting and they grew OK. Thus year put fleece over them and had reasonable germination.
Other potential cause is loss of seed viability if the seed is more than a couple of years old. You can test viability of your pack by growing a few in a pot.