support for peas

[vegnovice10]

Well the second lot of peas I sowed on 14th June starting to grow nicely. Am keeping them covered in fine mesh netting to stop birds. Can you advise me on when to put sticks in for support and how many do I use please? Do I need to keep them covered till I pick them (hopefully will get some as can't resist peas straight from the pod!)

Many thanks Susan

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Susan, once the pea plants grow some more they will send out tendrils to cling to supports and then you will need to have supports in place. Some pea varieties only grow really short plants that could be supported with strong twigs and string. Other varieties grow tall and these need cane sticks with string tied across forming a sort of ladder effect for the peas to grow up. You can use netting but it is really difficult to remove the pea plants from the netting after the growing season. I have never bothered to cover pea plants but I plant them out as good sized seedlings. What variety are you growing?

[Hollie the Wollie]

Hi Susan! I am a first time veggie grower but seem to have had some real luck with my peas!

I did not cover them, nothing has bothered them apart from snails and slugs but they have not touched the pods. I did make the mistake of just putting in short supports at first - they were completely inadequate for the weight and one night they collapsed. I then had to try and support them up with stronger canes. I used the thickest canes I could and then put twine from each each cane to the next to make like a grid. I did this on three levels so that there was plenty to cling onto. Within 24 hours, to my surprise and relief, the little tendrils had wrapped round the strings and canes!

I would therefore reccommend putting in supports straight away or nice and early to avoid this!

[vegnovice10]

Thanks they are kelvedon wonder peas. When it's less hot, is unbearable here, I will sort out support for them.

[Hollie the Wollie]

Susan, I gre Kelvedon Wonder aswell. There are posts on here with pics. Mine have grown to around 4 foot.. and we've had loads of tastie yummy peas! If I can do it, anyone can!