[canwickplot]

I've got netting over my peas at the minute because I was told to keep them covered until they established themselves, in order to avoid having them eaten up by pigeons. They are about 10" tall now though, so are they safe yet? Should I keep the netting over all season? At what point can they go free? I don't think I have enough netting to keep up with their growth!!

Cheers

[Gardeningguru]

I've got netting over my peas at the minute because I was told to keep them covered until they established themselves, in order to avoid having them eaten up by pigeons. They are about 10" tall now though, so are they safe yet? Should I keep the netting over all season? At what point can they go free? I don't think I have enough netting to keep up with their growth!!

Cheers

I only keep mine covered when they are sub 3-4 inches,  I would imagine at 10" they would be safe from Pigeons, albeit the dreaded pea moth is a threat though!  Nets won't help with that. fleece is an option if the problem has been historically bad in that area/plot.

[canwickplot]

Thanks Guru, I'll be able to free up some netting for the next lot now.

[scezy]

I took the netting off my peas when they were about 4-5" tall and the piddys had them.Id leave them as long as you can.
Scezy

[canwickplot]

I was chatting to the old yokker over the path from me last night and he reckons he doesn't bother with netting at all. He's got all sorts of visual deterrent stuff hanging on string and canes etc though. Might knock myself up a scarecrow I think.

[Oliver]

I was chatting to the old yokker over the path from me last night and he reckons he doesn't bother with netting at all. He's got all sorts of visual deterrent stuff hanging on string and canes etc though. Might knock myself up a scarecrow I think.

My neighbour had put up two rows of poles the width of the plot, 18 apart, and chickenwire between the poles. then he has planted his peas. No cover. They are now about 14" high and perfectly intact.
Scarecrow: great fun to make, looks fun on the plot, pigeons love them!
Oliver

[Sideways]

I had two rows of peas that had grown to around 18 inches high so I took the netting away. Came back the next morning and the rabbits had eaten six plants down to an inch-high stump and reduced several more to half their original size.

The netting went straight back up. 

Gotta say, I wont be bothering with peas next year, too much hassle imo.

[canwickplot]

I've got chicken wire fencing to keep the rabbits out, but the birds are always watching my movements in anticipation.  :happy:

[Beetroot queen]

I left mine until the first week in May and then covered to prevent the pea moth, I was planning to uncover late June, I am sure it says that in my book, when I can find it I will look it up 

[diggerjoe]

I've not netted my golden mangetout which are romping away and now 3ft and no weevil damage either    the two rows of ordinary peas that have come through all weevil atacked - pigeons tend to just go for bigger stuff on our sight must be easier to spot. I have re sown and resorted to spray on the emerging peas.