Peas help please

[PaulaB]

do I need to soak pea seeds before planting them?  I am going to grow them inside in a propagator.

[PaulaB]

[saddad]

You don't have to, but it speeds the process up... otherwise they have to absorb the moisture from the compost before sprouting.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Don't let them soak for more than 24 hours. Peas are susceptible to rot, so I wouldn't recommend the damp atmosphere of a propagator. They need a bit of warmth, but a windowsill would be enough. Once it warms up a little they can go in a cold frame, but it's too cold for that at the moment.

[kt.]

I used to sow mine in lengths of guttering then transplant.  Last year I just did direct sowing in the ground straight from the packet.  Had great germination and great crops too.  The only variety I transplanted were Petite Poits pea plants I was given; and they were abysmal.

[Digeroo]

I don't tend to soak my peas, I put them on damp kitchen roll until they produce a sign of a root, that way you can take out any that rot.  I am not sure they need much heat, I put them on my coldest northfacing windowsill.

I have already put some outside under cloches but I might be being a bit hopeful, I have more in pots. 

[PaulaB]

Thanks for the advise they are soaking, but will plant them first thing in the morning and put them on the windowsill.

[Robert_Brenchley]

They'll be fine; just remember they need a little warmth for germination, but not too much as they're a cool weather crop (if that's not too much of a contradiction!), and don't let the seeds get too wet or they'll rot. The older round-seeded type is tougher, so I think some weaknesses have been bred in at some stage.

[mokanoo]

I can never get peas right. Yesterday I planted 12 that were soaked for a couple of hours and 12 that weren't. I'll probably do successive sowings like this for the next two months so PaulaB I can let you know how they germinate depending on the different treatment etc.

[PaulaB]

I now have the extra worry of how to keep fluffy cat bums from sitting on the seed trays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They are monsters.

[Mortality]

I now have the extra worry of how to keep fluffy cat bums from sitting on the seed trays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They are monsters.

hehe ahah

[BarriedaleNick]

I now have the extra worry of how to keep fluffy cat bums from sitting on the seed trays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They are monsters.

I know exactly what you mean!  lost a few chillis already this year due to my cats desiree to sit on the window sill..