[AmandaLouise]

I know this may sound really silly but how many plants should I sow of peas and french beans? 

My family consists of my husband and I, and two kids under 5.  No extended family really so growing just for us.  If I have any excess I would just give away at work or allotment neighbours.  Because its my first time growing my own veg,  I was unsure of how many pea and french bean seeds to sow, so I just sowed a module tray of each variety, probably about 20.  Can anyone tell me what each seed will produce roughly.

I know I will have to successionally sow peas from what I have learnt, but someone told me today beans I wont have too.  The varieties I have in cells are 'oasis pea' and 'tendergreen dwarf french beans'.

Cheers everyone
Amanda

[Poolman]

Hi Amanda,

Fairly new to growing but did some peas last year, around 16 plants in pots and they grew well!!

All I can say however is there was no where near enough

[DD.]

At the risk of repeating myself, this is the recommended spacing for peas:



20 will only make you a row just over a foot and a half long.

The problem with succession sowing is that the later you get into the year, the more prone they are to pea moth. Even later and they are prone to mildew.

I prefer to have a big sow, get the lot over with & freeze the produce.

[Poolman]

As a pea lover dd how many do you sow?

[DD.]

I currently have 8 x 32' rows of peas, a "fun" sowing of Bigga mushy peas, a "pet" Kent Blue pea, 20 salmon flowered crown and quite a few more heritage varieties to go in.

More specifics in my diary, (shamless plug) here:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=69457.msg1022652#msg1022652

[Poolman]

Off for a read, cheers!

[AmandaLouise]

Makes sense to sow different varieties, think that is what I will do then.  I have oasis and kelvedon.  Everyone seems to sow in pots at our allotment at first, I think... although I dont know everyone.  But I am going try and do the peas direct and cover, and hope for the best.  Was hoping to do today but its horribly damp so wait till a bit drier!

Thanks
Amanda

[DD.]

I would need over 3,000 pots! 

[Poolman]

Will a direct sow require cover? 

I have some in pots a couple of inches high, when should these go out?

[DD.]

There's no need for any pea plants to be inside now, they will stand a nip of frost.

I cover my pea seeds as predator protection, (mice, then birds), not for frost protection.

[AmandaLouise]

I meant mice protection cover, got to make something with some 10mm mesh I have.

thanks
amanda

PS. Would it be okay if I just sit some of the metal mesh on top till they come through.

[Poolman]

Thanks v much, I do have my old man as a grower. Sometimes he's spot on but sometimes not. Learning Lot fast!!!!

Thanks again

[Poolman]

Well just a follow on, been out And planted the pea plants into the ground - good job I was quick it just started to throw it down as I put the last one in, phew!!!

Do peas need feed?

[DD.]

Never fed mine, just them them do their job and out something into the soil!

[Poolman]

Cheers dd, I am growing green hurst shaft, any advice on these? Firstly are they nice as I looooove peas!!

Looking to get some more varietys so will look through the net shortly