[sloegin]

Hi heard that peas are hard to grow - so what's an easy (see what i did there !) bean to grow.... thinking of having a stab at borlotti beans. What equipment do i need? - Trellis, canes?

[DD.]

Peas are not hard!

[sloegin]

Ok DD i suppose nothings hard until i try! Tell me more...?

[DD.]

Make a trench 2" deep with a draw hoe.

Throw peas in.

Cover with soil.

Net against mice/birds.

When germinated start supporting.

Wait.

Pick.

Eat.

Maybe take some home.

[Livinhope]

First lot just finished, second just coming in, third row in bud, fourth row went in yesterday.  As DD says net against birds and mice.  We start ours off under cheap corrugated plastic made into a cloche, gives them a kick and protects them, then stick and net against the pigeons.  Sorted......

[greenhead]

Having seen DD's pics  we have grown 2 - 30' rows this year of Early Onward and Claverdon Wonder, planting the second row 6 weeks after the first.  We are now harvesting the first row however about 1 in 10 pods have a small grub at the flower end - is this normal or should we have sprayed (what?)

Is it too late to plant a third row and what variety for late sowing?

Thanks for any tips.

[DD.]

The small grub is the larva of the pea moth and that is one of the set backs of later sowing. Earlier ones will miss these.

The precautions are to spray at flowering time, or to fleece the crop.

If sowing now, chose an early variety like the two you've already sown. (It's Kelvedon Wonder, by the way).

[greenhead]

Thanks DD - What does a pea moth look like, do you have any pics.

[DD.]

Here's a link to a piccie:

Pea Moth

It's one of those things you never see or notice, like carrot fly, but the evidence of their visit is very apparant!

[sloegin]

Thanks so much, will give it a go!

[Mr B]

Hi DD,
  Yo mention fleece, could you use debrie netting or do the peas need the bees etc to pollinate them? My Alderman crop have been almost desimated by these little sods.
Chris

[DD.]

Enviromesh or debris netting should keep them out. Their winspan is 12-16 mm, but I'm not sure how big they are with wings tucked in!

Peas do not need insects to pollinate, they have an enclosed flower & self-pollinate.

[Livinhope]

Oh! the sex life of plants

[boosh]

Make a trench 2" deep with a draw hoe.

Throw peas in.

Cover with soil.

Net against mice/birds.

When germinated start supporting.

Wait.

Pick.

Eat.

Maybe take some home.

If only all the advice you ask for, was answerd as straight forward as DD has.

[gypsy]

Here's a link to a piccie:

Pea Moth

It's one of those things you never see or notice, like carrot fly, but the evidence of their visit is very apparant!

Oh thank goodness I pulled all my pea plants out 2 days ago, I saw one of those little monsters when I was tidying the pea bed up yesterday, I was very cruel to it.
Now I know who it was I do not feel bad about exterminating it.