Author Topic: Peas - what am I doing wrong?  (Read 5813 times)

Looby Loo

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Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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
« Last Edit: June 23, 2006, 22:40:28 by EJ - Emma Jane »

Little Bean

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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)
Smile, it confuses people.

tim

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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?
« Last Edit: June 24, 2006, 14:41:51 by supersprout »

Looby Loo

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« Reply #14 on: June 24, 2006, 17:33:19 »
Excellent.  Thanks Supersprout.  I will get sprouting straight away.

mc55

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« 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

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Re: Peas - what am I doing wrong?
« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2006, 12:12:37 »
Result! ;D

 

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