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I didn't grow peas last year as the previous few yrs I got disgusting little maggots in them.  I plan to try again this year, Is there an organic solution?

they're the larva of the pea moth. i had a lot in 2006, which was a funny year. Last year wasn't so bad. General advice is  - early and late sowings of peas may miss them, which is what I found last year, or rather, middle sowings had them. Other solution may be to cover peas with a fine mesh. They're more a problem in the South of England. Actually, only one or two peas per pod were spoiled. It was just a pain picking them out

Agree about the timing - the moth lays its eggs in the flower, so if you cover them totally with fleece or enviromesh you may prevent it getting in.

 and it won't stop fertilisation as they do it themselves!
We get it here in Derby but not too badly most years!
:-\

You can also spray with Derris as soon as you notice a problem, and as a precautionary measure about a week before the plants flower. Joy Larkcom recommends this in her book 'Grow Your Own', although I've never tried it and am not sure how it corresponds (if at all) with the organic approach. Still, last year's crop was just riddled, so might see me opting for it.  :-[
  Does anyone know more about it? Is it an insect killer or repellant?
 

they can come in with the seeds as well - so I would suggest you check your seeds and maybe change supplier

derris is being phased out I think, not just for organic but generally. Linked to Parkinson's disease

We had a few maggots in our peas last year, but really not many at all, it was just a case of chucking the ones that weren't any good.

I'm going to read up about companion planting to see if there's a solution there somewhere...

I like the idea of companion planting but I may sow soon undr cover and hope to miss them

Quote from: Rhubarb Thrasher on April 01, 2008, 14:18:44
derris is being phased out I think, not just for organic but generally. Linked to Parkinson's disease

That's interesting, thanks for posting RT.

please check that it's true. I came across it yesterday -the first of April. Wiki has something on it though

Quote from: Rhubarb Thrasher on April 02, 2008, 13:07:38
please check that it's true. I came across it yesterday -the first of April. Wiki has something on it though

Thanks, you're right. I've searched online and have found lots of sites to confirm this, or at least confirm the possibility (you know how they always cover themselves!). Apparently Derris is available until September 2009, but I'll be giving it a wide berth.

i'd heard that deriis is totally safe, but being withdrawn because the manufacturers can't afford the certification that's now required by EU law?

certainly not totally safe, but why it may be withdrawn is something else
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotenone

Def going though as the Lottie shop can't get supplies anymore!