Planting peas

[vegnovice10]

I still have some kelvedon wonder peas to plant. The instructions say plant in 6" wide drills 2" deep. plant in zig zag pattern along the drill allowing 2" between seeds. Does this mean each pea is 4" from it's neighbour in the middle drill and 8" in the side drills. Am getting really confused!

I think I probably sowed the last ones wrong as put 1 pea each side of the drill and not in the middle so each was actually 4" from neighbour the same side.

Any advice gladly welcomed! thanks

[DavidT]

When you`ve taken out the drill, just scatter the pea seed thinly in the bottom allowing ABOUT 2" between each one. You don`t need to be exact about it, they will still grow and crop.

[Hollie the Wollie]

We very much doubted our peas would grow as we didn't follow the instructions all too well on the packet, however, they are birlliant, but you can clearly see where we put more peas than other areas in the drill. Tee hee!

[Digindeep]

As David T has said just scatter them, there is certainly no need to be exact..

I take a rake, pull back the top soil so you have a dip/rut the width of the rake about 2" deep. Take a spade pat down with the flat back of the spade the rut. Water well, allow water to soak in, scatter pea seeds, cover with excess soil already raked out, Water once angain well and leave alone. If in the following days you notice the raked area drying out rewater as often as nec'...As they pop their heads out continue to water well and regularly..

Have fun and enjoy....

[Hollie the Wollie]

As we're talking peas... is it too late to start some more now?

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hollie, there is still time to sow main crop varieties of peas.

Buy Main Crop Pea Seeds | Mail Order Maincrop Pea Seeds

[Hollie the Wollie]

Looking at what had come up with my existing peas I don't think I will have any more room!!!

[Peter Chapman]

Hi
The great thing about growing your own is the fun of just being a rebel...You don;t need to be exact with anything....I am a great fan of John Sutcliffe who recommended deep bed gardening....allowing the roots to grow deep so that you could plant your veggies closer together....as long as peas have some good soil, are fed well and have the space to grow upwards then all will be well!

[vegnovice10]

Thanks for all the replies. Still haven't planted the rest as sorting out a path so I can reach them! Hope to plant more tomorrow.

Susan

[Hollie the Wollie]

Oh yes get 'em planted. My advice is to put in canes and supports early! I found this out the hard way!!!

[vegnovice10]

Investigated the peas I'd planted earlier and found only 2 coming up - rest had vanished so guess mice had them. Planted some more in same drills and finished the row as had only done half a row before.

Is there any way I can stop mice getting them again? I didn't have any guttering so couldn't plant them in that and then slide them into garden as suggested by a friend. I have covered them with netting which is supposed to keep off pests but don't know if that will help but will keep off birds. will let you know what happens.

[Lesley Jay]

Hi VegN, when it was my first year of growing veggies I sowed peas direct into the ground and the lot vanished, so I sowed a second lot which also vanished and we put it down to mice - damn clever mice who don't disturb the surface of the soil. Ever since then I have sowed pea seeds in cells, one seed per cell and then plant out. It's the only way that I could grow peas.

[Hollie the Wollie]

It's just so strange isn't it how somethings work for some and not others. I planted some peas in cells and they all died after reaching around 1" high... but the ones I just chucked in the ground are fab! I had some to eat actually this morning (near the bottom, like you said Lesley!). I will post a pic later!

[Lesley Jay]

Oh............lovely!! You just can't beat the taste of fresh peas straight from the garden!

[Sueh]

Hi Everyone on the subject of peas. Does the same apply to Mange Toute. I am gutted because I had lots of plants growng and I had just started to pick some. Last night when I got home from work I went to water all my veg and found the Mange Toute decimated and all the leaves stripped and actual MT, nothing left. What do you think has done this? not mice possibly pidgeons I just do not know as I never had a problem in previous years. I gave up on cabbages as the same happened. I think CCTV is in order.

Anyhow is it too late to plant more? After my problems with runner beans they seem to be doing a bit better and the oned I thought had died have started shooting again.

Thanks for any advise
Sue

[stupo74]

Hi Sue,
Sorry to hear of the problems you have had with your "Mange Tout"
In 1 of my books, it states that you can sow them up to the middle of June which will allow you to pick in september give it a go would be my advice afterall, not alot to lose.
hope the above helps,,,cheers stupo

[Sueh]

Cheers,
I am going to sow some more today.
Sue