[Julia Tyrer-Cutts]

When I grew peas in my garden at home I had no problems.  They grew really well apart from the pea moth that is.  Last year I planted lots on my new allotment and got next to nothing  .

On 9th March this year I planted my first row and covered with fleece to protect from frost, cold and birds when they start to emerge from the soil.  I took a look yesterday 30th March and not a single shoot.  Surely they should have germinated by now?  I don't want a repeat of last year.

I live in Cambridgeshire, on the fens.  Peas variety early onward.

All tips welcome.

[maloneranger]

Maybe a bit early?
How warm has it been?

Also, the fleece will keep any warmth out.

Or has something else eaten the seeds?

I suggest that you have a poke down and see what is going on, underground. 

[Elaine G]

Hmm. I have just been muttering to myself that my pea germination is poor this year.
Mine are early onward too, but sown in guttering in the greenhouse - a method I have been using successfully for several years now.
I guess it's not impossible for a mouse to get in there, but about half of them have come up, and I have never had a problem before.
Ho hum 

Elaine

[mumofstig]

If I remember correctly we had a year when lots of people had trouble with EO peas - most of us tried again with another variety........

[Gardener and Rabbit]

Perhaps a bit early,  I'll be putting mine in about mid-April.

[Elaine G]

Oh bother!!
Thanks mum. Do you have a recommendation for another early pea.
I have got Hurst Greenshaft for the 2nd early.

Elaine

[mumofstig]

I grow tall peas Alderman, but if you are looking for short peas then DD.'s advice is here

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=90655.msg1008318#msg1008318

[Julia Tyrer-Cutts]

Thank you all for your good advice.  I shall go and investigate underground, as suggested, to see what is going on.  I shall also try these other varieties.

I planted early as when I grew peas in my garden I had terrible trouble with pea moth. 

I love fresh peas and don't want to give up on them.

 

[Hampshire Hog]

Sounds like mice or rats to me or perhaps too cold & wet causing them to rot??
HH

[grinling]

presoak in a jam jarovernight, then plant in individual pots. I make the pots by joining newspaper with glue and then filling with compost halfway. put pea in and cover. Place in trays and keep moist. When sprouting plant each newspaper tube in a zigzag.

[Sparkyrog]

Does sound like mice to me too !

[Salmo]

Does sound like mice to me too !

Squeek!  Squeek! Squeek!

 

[maloneranger]

I recall that when my family sowed peas, many, many years ago, they were first dipped in paraffin.

I am not sure if this was to deter mice or pigeons [or both].

However, I cannot recall any shortage of peas!

[DD.]

So much faffing every time I read a pea thread!

Mumofstig has already given a link to my pea thread, which is essentially throw them in a trench, securely net against mice and leave them.

As I mentioned in another thread after someone commented that I must have a pest free plot, that is far from the case as we have all sorts of rodents, pigeons galore, magpies, squirrels, badgers, foxes................

[Christine]

I've got Meteor on the go and they are putting in an appearance despite the fog ridden north east (pass the sun you lot).