[polly nator]

last two or three years I have grown a mix of three different mangetout peas.
1. Mangetout Golden Sweet   grows to 7 foot
2.Carouby De Mousanne grows to 6 foot
3. Sugar Ann grows to three foot.

They are all mixed up in the same row. I like the flowers on the climbing variety. This year I have noticed a lot more stem growth before the flowers began and the peas are forming much nearer the top of the plants.

My original aim had been to get a better (vertical) crop in a small space but I am wondering if this will be the case this year.

For me, the appearance of the climbing plants has been a big factor in choosing to grow them

[GrannieAnnie]

Mmmm must remember some of these varieties for next year! 

[rubyrose]

Hi all I'm growing sugar Ann for the first time this year. My plants are all about 4ft tall and the pods are lovely raw straight from the plant they cook well and also have frozen some. Didn't realise there were lots to pick so some have grown fat with peas inside but shelling them is not easy compared to other pods(hurst) Would definitely grow them again.

[mumofstig]

You are sposed to eat Sugar ann peas with the pods, you don't have to shell them, even if the peas are fat.
You may have to top&tail them when they're bigger though, and I slice mine through - like this


You can't do that with mangetout

[Auntiemogs]

You are sposed to eat Sugar ann peas with the pods, you don't have to shell them, even if the peas are fat.
You may have to top&tail them when they're bigger though, and I slice mine through - like this


You can't do that with mangetout

Crikey Mum, you have a lot more willpower than me (or a lot more peas)!  By the time I've grazed my way around the garden there's very little to bring indoors. 

[mumofstig]

Sadly, they're not mine    - It's just a Google image to show how different they are from mangetout

[rubyrose]

Thanks for that advice mum going to save a lot of time not having to shell them. I expect to find lots more fat ones tomorrow as not been able to get to Lotty for 3 days. How long would you blanch them for to freeze if they are fat pods thanks

[mumofstig]

I blanch mine, cut up into pieces,  for 11/2 minutes.