Growing peas

 


I find the best way to start growing peas is to sow them in modules in a tray insert or small pots.  Multi-purpose peat free compost mixed with vermiculite or horticultural sand is fine for germinating peas. I put three or four seeds in each module/pot.  Once the roots start growing out of the bottom of the pot, it is time to plant them out.  Mine went into the allotment a few days ago.  I plant the whole modules/pots a few centimetres apart in a row.  Support - something the pea tendrils can wind round - is necessary as is protection against birds when they are small.  I use sticks (raspberry canes) to start with and later string or netting attached with canes for support, and netting or fleece for protection of the small plants.

They are a bit of faff but lovely raw or cooked, and there are a good choice of types, sizes and even colour - mangetout, snap or podding peas.  This time I'm trying the variety Shiraz, a purple podded mangetout pea.

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