[suzeking]

hi all

am growing some peas given to me as seedlings from my mum - i believe they are sugar snap. i have constructed a frame with canes and string which seems to be doing the trick as they are now flowering nicely!

The plants are now about 3' tall - should i be nipping out tops to stop them growing at some point or do i just let them grow as much as they like??

thanks

susan

[Yorkie]

I haven't snipped off the tops of my normal peas

[DD.]

NO snipping!

[HilaryG]

Hi. Definitely no snipping. Once I'd protected mine from the pigeons they took off. They are so delicious that they never make it back to my kitchen....a perfect snack on the lotty! Do think it is possible to keep some seeds for next year? 

[wighty]

I'm getting to the point of I don't want to go down the garden to pick veg for tonights dinner as I know it's going to contain  Mangetout or Sugarsnaps.  help, I'm drowning!

[DD.]

Do think it is possible to keep some seeds for next year? 

Quite possible, in fact one of the easiest to save. I've got a couple of heritage varieties and have to save the seed if I want to keep them going.

Just wait until the pods start to yellow, take them off the plant to dry out somewhere warm, then store the peas in a cool, dry place. (Airtight container ideal).

I don't bother with the standard varieties though as a local nursery sells the seed loose and far cheaper than packet ones. The cost does not warrant the effort for those.

[HilaryG]

  I keep hearing about heritage seeds. How does one get hold of them?

[DD.]

They are several companies offering heritage seed. Try a Google on "UK Heritage seed" or "UK heirloom seed".

The biggest catalogue, as far as I know, is the Heritage Seed Library

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/hsl/index.php

Drawback is that it costs £20 a year to join.

Or you speak nicely to someone who's already got some!

[Lewjam]

you should add a "pea showing compertition" or "most peas in a single pod" and give a few spare herritige seeds as a prize! hehe