PEAS - what do I do with them?

[hippipotami]

A few weeks ago DS brought home a little pot containing a pea - seed. He had sown it at Beavers and even made a lovely little label (aahh bless)

According to the (crudely drawn) label the plantlet is peas as in the eating variety, not sweetpeas or the like.

So, it has been on the windowsill in the kitchen, and has been watered frequently, we now have a cute little thin plant around 10 inches tall. (all curled around the wooden stick containing the aforementioned label)

Now, what do I do with it. Pot? Straight into the garden? Does it like sun (chance would be a fine thing) or shade? Open spot or sheltered?

After our tomato disaster (forgot to water, shrivelled up and died, then the rain came and they flooded and drowned, who else can kill tomatoes twice) this little plant symbolises hope for our future veggie patch - it needs to survive.

[CakeandFineWine]

Hi there

Try reading this www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_april_1_pea.asp

From what I remember from the distant past of my allotment peas are really easy to grow and quite hard wearing!?

Hope this helps"

[NeverEndingPileOfLaundry]

I grow peas on my allotment . They are quite easy. Plant the pea plant in the ground, somewhere sunny and with some support to grow up. Make sure the pea's roots are not disturbed when you plant it out, as they hate that. Water it well (in the event of a dry spell).

Just be warned though, if it is one single plant you won't get many peas - you need to grow quite alot to get a reasonable crop.

Good luck!

[fishie]

i grew peas this year. they were all instantly murdered by snails when i put little plants in bed. keep it indoors where you can't miss it.

[NeverEndingPileOfLaundry]

Sorry Fishie, it really won't be happy indoors. Slugs can be a problem (one reason why I grow lots), but there are traps etc you can use, or if you just have a few plants then grow them in a big pot, which the slugs / snails tend to attack less in my experience.

[hippipotami]

Lovely, thanks for that! Yes it is only 1 plant, will get some more. Bit worried about the slugs and snails though - we have lots in our garden [sigh]

[CakeandFineWine]

beer! At least they die drunk!

[hippipotami]

I know, but the thought of emptying out a beer trap full of dead and bloated slugs makes me shiver...

[SueW]

Our peas grew really well but now the pods have all been picked, the slugs have destroyed the leaves. TBH, they had a go at the pods too but didn't get through. Well that is there were some left to pick and enjoy (none ever made it into a pan to be cooked though - all eaten raw, as home grown peas should be IMO)

[fishie]

the only crop my beans produced before they were also scoffed by snails in garden was on the kitchen windowsill, so if its between certain death or stunted pot life i know what i'd choose.

RIP plants
9 peas
15 runner beans
25 borlotti beans

not exactly going to rival birds eye.