Hi everyone, growing my first peas this year, have them growing in modular trays on windowsill at the mo and first 5 plants have broken the surface, problem I have is I bought and planted my seeds before re-checking which type to buy and instead of planting dwarf peas and sweet peas to place together in hanging baskets I have planted full size 'onward' blunt ended peas, does anyone know if i'll still be able to grow these in hanging baskets or is the plant just going to grow tooooo big, I have the option of trailing it around my pagoda for support of necessary
Well, for future reference the pea variety Half Pint, which is available from Plants of Distinction and T&M would have been your preferred variety. ;D
With regard to the variety you have grown, you could pinch out the tips when they grow to about 12" in order to make them bush out. Would have to say I don't know, but just a suggestion.
valmarg
Welcome to the site Phoenix...
Some of the leafless varieties like "bikini" are small enough... DebP grew some last year... but not in baskets.. ;D
Thanks guys, first year of growing crops and as haven't got an allotment or veggie patch am going for the pots and trying to make it all look as interesting as possible as well as tasting fab, was given 2 tomato plants by a friend last year and it got me hooked, this year doing, tomatoes, cucumbers, mixed salad leaves, peppers, strawberries, carrots, parsnips, potatoes and of course my peas if it works out, will definatley try snipping the ends when they get to a decent size.
Hiya, phoenix, nice to meet you ;D
looks like you've got big plans, looking forward to photos :)
soon as ive got something worth showing i'll get the pics posted
since you are already planning to grow somethings in pots why not go with this method for your peas;
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/thedirt/wp-content/uploads/gayla_peas_chewed.jpg (http://www.yougrowgirl.com/thedirt/wp-content/uploads/gayla_peas_chewed.jpg)
or
scroll down to the first picture of peas growing up an obelisk http://www.yougrowgirl.com/thedirt/2006/06/20/feed-them-to-the-squirrels (http://www.yougrowgirl.com/thedirt/2006/06/20/feed-them-to-the-squirrels)
Purple peas are very decorative as well. Picture in the current dried peas thread... :)
thanks for the links thifasmom, will maybe frame some and hang some and see which works better for me, hopefully I won't find myself plagues by squirrels ;D
You might be disappointed with the quantity of peas you get from peas in containers, french beans could give you better results for the space if you'd like to add those to your list! :)
http://simonsallotment.blogspot.com/search/label/French%20beans
Good idea Simon, and you can have purple, yellow, green and stripey (red) ones in the same basket... :)
You know, I think that it could work out, peas do not mind if it is a bit shady and hanging baskets quickly dry out.
So as I think you could find that the peas getting enough water could be a problem, in case we get a dry hot summer, they may be better in a not too sunny position. Or you could spend all day watering them
The next problem will be support. If the peas growing downwards get too heavy then I worry that they could literally pull themselves out of the soil.
Not too sure what to suggest to give them support here. I would come up with suggestions if I could see where you are placing them, string or netting perhaps somehow trailing them either under the basket or to the side.
But it has given me an idea for starting peas off, a lot of us have problems with the allotment mice wanting the peas as soon as they sprout. Some sort of suspended contraption which mice can not climb into could be the answer. I will work on that idea.
Ok, can't work out how to add a picture to this, so have added 2 picuters of where I intent to grow the peas to my first peas category in my gallery, see what you think?? Reckon ive got a good enough support frame to grow around
Peas are very good at supporting themselves as long as they have something to cling to. Give them some netting, well secured to the basket, and plenty of water. You can but try!