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So, after many unsuccessful attempts I've now finally got the hang of growing peas... and have now discovered pea moth! I've read that enviromesh is the way to stop them - but don't peas need to be pollinated? What do you do?

What's your secret??? Just posted up about not being able to grow them!

At the 5th attempt I've cracked it - for me it's about beating the mice then the birds! I soak half a packet overnight, drain & rinse twice a day for a couple of days until sprouting, sow very thickly - this amount is enough for about a 10ft row, a few inches wide into well dug soil.

Cover in a cloche (the first 2 sowings) or hooped net until a few inches tall... give them something to climb, pick, remove ones with grubs in them...

Thanks for that - I shall give it a go.

Peas are self-pollinated, so you can cover them. On the other hand, if you do, you miss all that extra animal protein.

as well as animal damage, peas are fussy about temperatures for germination - there was apparently a national problem with sowings during that cold snap after the warm early May was it but as you can sow them successionally this is the best way to get lots

Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on June 23, 2008, 08:38:09
Peas are self-pollinated, so you can cover them. On the other hand, if you do, you miss all that extra animal protein.

Ha, yes, I'd miss the crunch! I thought perhaps that may be the case... but bees still visit... hence the confusion. Thanks!

I grow only snap peas, because I love eating the pods, and they are seldom attacked by moths before I pick them.

I agree about only sowing ready-sprouted peas - I always do that now.

My darling OH has just created 3 veg beds for me. I bought AT Kitchen Gardener & he mentioned enviromesh. We have ordered some.
Has anyone had any experience of it.
Janet.

I use enviromesh for anything beasties like - but particularly brassica's. I also haven't usually got much pea growth in the past to protect - but will be using it in future for future crops (now I know about the tricks - tx Ollie).

I had also heard that early sowing or sowing overwintering types avoided the pea moth?