[JayG]

Maybe not soaking them is where I went wrong. I sowed 2 rows direct on 6th April and there's nothing. Nada  . I'll try again but soak them this time.

I'm in balmy South Yorkshire (!) and my sugarsnaps have just started coming through after being sown 6th April (not pre-soaked but netted against birds and mice hopefully.)

Don't think that's at all unusual as we've had a lot of cool weather since the mini-heatwave last week (or was that summer?!) 

[CliveD]

the peas which are sold dried are likely to be marrowfat peas, the sort for making mushy peas, rather than the 'sweet' green varieties we normally grow to eat.

I did wonder about that but no problem as I love mushy peas

[bigben]

Make sure you don't have mice taking them 

I recently had a problem with my peas being taken, first those sown direct then fully formed peas in paper pots and I resorted to spraying them with a water sprayer containing 2 drops chilli sauce in about a couple of pints of water. The sauce is very strong and 2 drops in a pan turns it into madras heat. So far nothing has been taken since. The only problem is if you are growning them for the pea tops like Alys then chilli peas might not be what you want.

[Trillium]

  Don't worry about the chili flavour as the plants won't pass it onto the pods.

[bigben]

Don't worry about the chili flavour as the plants won't pass it onto the pods.

I meant if you are growing peas just for the pea tops to use in salad they may still have a coating of chilli. I am sure your right about peas in pods being effected.

[Squibbs]

I too used early onward and have had 5 out of a packet germinate in the polytunnel raised beds. Lots of weeds have grown (soil was dug from elsewhere in the garden) and the beans in the other bed are going mad and were sown about the same time. I've  sown a couple of beans in that bed and they have germinated well too.

I didnt soak mine either - but last year I just stuck them in the ground and they grew nicely - could it be the variety - I am puzzled.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good variety to try again with?

[bluelou]

the peas which are sold dried are likely to be marrowfat peas, the sort for making mushy peas, rather than the 'sweet' green varieties we normally grow to eat.

I did wonder about that but no problem as I love mushy peas

I am with you on that one, I love mushy peas as well.

[fletch]

Well I had a good poke around this morning and all my peas are just rotten  .

I think I'll wait until this cold snap has passed and do some more at the weekend (soaking them first of course  ).

[galen]

After a total no show with my Onwards last year I chitted my second lot on damp kitchen towel in a tupperware box. When roots were 1/4 inch long planted and all seemed to grow successfully. Done the same this year with my Early Onwards, successful germination and all poking their heads through the soil down the lottie and have juststarted my second lot off 

I'm only growing 10 feet double rows at a time mind you....

[mumofstig]

I'm sure that I've read somewhere that once they have started to germinate that the smell changes and they are no longer attactive to mice

[bluelou]

After a total no show with my Onwards last year I chitted my second lot on damp kitchen towel in a tupperware box. When roots were 1/4 inch long planted and all seemed to grow successfully. Done the same this year with my Early Onwards, successful germination and all poking their heads through the soil down the lottie and have juststarted my second lot off 

I'm only growing 10 feet double rows at a time mind you....

I soaked my peas last week and after 2 days i sowed half and left half on a damp kitchen towel. To my amazement all the peas on the towel have sprouted and only 2 out of 12 have come through in the pots. What do i do with the chitted peas now do i put them in pots or should they go outside?

[galen]

I soaked my peas last week and after 2 days i sowed half and left half on a damp kitchen towel. To my amazement all the peas on the towel have sprouted and only 2 out of 12 have come through in the pots. What do i do with the chitted peas now do i put them in pots or should they go outside?

I just plant them as normal, couple of inchs down and back filled with soil, I suppose taking a bit of care to ensure I don't knock the root off. I suppose you could put them in pots, it just seems an extra stage ! 

I would say it has been warm and dry down here in "Sunny Kent" so I did water the drill I'd made prior to planting and also made sure soil was damp until most of the shoots were popping through the surface

Edit - And covered with fleece to ensure nothing had a go until they came through. All's worked so far!

[loubylou29]

the peas which are sold dried are likely to be marrowfat peas, the sort for making mushy peas, rather than the 'sweet' green varieties we normally grow to eat.

I have bought some Batchelors Marrowfat peas 25p in tesco for a box that will last years, and the rate of germination has been 100% I am astounded.  I am growing them for pea shoots as part of my salad crops :which I do every year, but usually use proper seed! 
If you like the pea-ey flavour I really recommend giving a tray of these a go they are a lovely addition to lettuce.

[operabunny]

Yum! I love pea shoots. Will definitely be trying to grow some now I know how to do it on the cheap