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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?

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.

I planted them about 4 or 5 weeks ago.  Hasn't been too cold down here since then.

Thanks

We can eliminate that one then. What about pests? Or have you planted it in a spot which might be unsuitable somehow?

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.

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.

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

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

So do we!  Am hoping with a little protection and good luck, we will have fresh peas with our Christmas dinner!

:o Emma-Jane ;D may I pop over with my trug please? :P

Looby, do you soak or sprout your peas before sowing? ::)

QuoteLooby, 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)

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.

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

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?

Excellent.  Thanks Supersprout.  I will get sprouting straight away.

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  >:( >:(

Fine & dandy, Sprouty, but don't do it my way - far too closely sown!!

Just hoping we get something for nothing.

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

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.

Result! ;D