Overwintering peas

[anemone]

Can you overwinter Alderman peas or are the specific varieties to use?

[anemone]

[Flighty]

Alderman is a maincrop variety sown in April/May for harvesting in August! You need a first early variety such as Feltham First, Meteor or Pilot which can be sown now under cloches or in a cold frame for harvesting next May/June.

[saddad]

Over winter peas are hard/round not wrinkled... very distinctive...  :)

[anemone]

Ah thank you :) I didn't realise you needed cloches either.

[1066]

Ah thank you :) I didn't realise you needed cloches either.

Me neither! I'm going to try some this year as well. With the cloches is it a general thing about using them or does it depends where you are in the country?

Thanks 1066

[earlypea]

I want to know the same as 1066.

I thought winter peas were very hardy - not planning to cloche my Douce Provence, should I in the South-East?

[Flighty]

Ideally hardy overwintering varieties should be planted in a sheltered area. They should be okay uncovered if the weather remains mild but do need to be covered with a cloche or fleece if severe weather is forecast!
Sorry, I hope that clarifies things!

[earlypea]

Sorry, I hope that clarifies things!

Thanks - so I'll just bung some fleece over the netting if arctic conditions are predicted (which probably means a heatwave anyway  ::) )  Been looking forward to this predicted rainfall - absolutely nothing!

[flowerlady]

I am growing Meteor this year ... and do not intend to cover them ... have a read of this ...

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/product/413.html

[grawrc]

This is my first year of trying this, so I don't really know, however from what I have read two things have emerged.
1. They are most vulnerable prior to germination.
2. Cloche protection may be needed  if the weather is very cold.

My first batch of Douce Provence is already about an inch tall and looking remarkably healthy. The second batch is just appearing. I have branches (prunings from blackcurrants and raspberries) inserted as supports and to keep out rabbits. They have no other protection.

If the weather really deteriorates at some point I'll tuck some fleece round the branches. (I'm in Edinburgh)

It may all go horribly wrong at some point but nothing ventured .....

[1066]

Thanks Flighty!

Grawrc - I'm also trying douce provence, so will be interesting to see how they get on here down sarf.....

[KittyKatt]

I grow both Meteor and Douce Provence. Both are tasty and successful without any cover here in the SW. The only problems I've had is poor germination if its very wet, and something eating the seedlings when they emerge. I just sowed some more and they soon caught up!.
KittyKatt

[Digeroo]

Just realised that I have some Feltham First so will pop in some when it cheers up.  I am a bit worried that the squirrels/mice will have a feast.

[jimtheworzel]

After planting your peas, lay a strip of chicken wire over the top of the peas {small size mesh}so  mice cant dig up peas, remove mesh after cropping, same with broad beans, hope this helps.

J.T.W

[manicscousers]

we grew our meteor in guttering again, tried some in the ground, half were eaten by our friendly mice, soooo, now our gutter peas are planted up, we've put them in the poly, they're about 6"tall   :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Mice can go straight through chicken wire. If they're a problem, germinate the peas in pots and then plant out. Otherwise, you could try the traditional red lead and paraffin.

[Digeroo]

red lead and paraffin

Not sure that this goes well with my organic aspirations.

In the spring I use plastic bottles.  Might give them a try.

Mice can go straight through chicken wire

Squirrel just move it out of the way.

[jimtheworzel]

"Mice can go straight through chicken wire." QUOTE FROM R.B

NOT IF ITS QUITE SMALL MESH. AND PEG IT DOWN WITH WIRE PEGS

[Squashman]

I normally sow meteor for over winter pea, covered with wondermesh or enviromesh, with quite good results. This year I am growing or hope to grow Douce provence again under mesh.
The mesh is over water pipe hoops and pegged to the ground.

[Robert_Brenchley]

"Mice can go straight through chicken wire." QUOTE FROM R.B

NOT IF ITS QUITE SMALL MESH. AND PEG IT DOWN WITH WIRE PEGS

If it's small enough to keep mice out it would be a waste of money using it on chooks! The smallest you can get (I just checked) is 13mm, which might or might not stop them. Nothing larger would stand a chance.