[shokkyy]

For the last two years I've done a double row of Alderman but neither year have I had a decent crop from them. Last year the crop was just very small and this year I had a lot of mouse problems and had to resow, which meant they were late, and they very quickly succumbed to mildew. I'm also wondering if the bed they're in has enough sunshine for them, although my Blauhilde French bean, White Lady runners and Carouby mangetout have all done brilliantly this year in that same bed.

So next year I thought I might go back to small peas and put them in a different bed. I've got some 8ft X4ft raised beds and I'll use one of those. I'm thinking if I go with one of the little 2ft varieties I can get away with 3 rows in a single bed, giving me a total row length of 24ft, which ought to give me a decent crop. And if I sow early I can get them out in time to use the bed for something like courgettes.

The varieties I'm thinking of are Onward, Early Onward and Kelvedon Wonder, all of which are 2ft varieties. Early Onward can be sown a couple of weeks earlier, but other than that there doesn't seem much to choose between them, all have RHS awards and all are supposed to be heavy yielding. Anyone think any of these varieties are better than the others, whether for taste, crop size or hardiness?

[Kirpi]

I was offered a taste of Hurst Greenshaft this year and I've never tasted peas so sweet - they'll be my crop for next year.

[shokkyy]

Yes, but they're not an early variety and they're quite a bit taller. I do want a variety that's early and fairly small so I can get away with 3 rows.

[mumofstig]

post from DD. re KW
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=91408.msg1016354#msg1016354

[mattwragg94]

ive grown onward and early onward, and hurst greenshaft for a number of years and if im honest they grow way past 2ft, mine always grow to around 5ft! - however i like a tall pea as i find you get a better harvest from them.

[DD.]

KW are an excellent pea.

I know that Auntie agrees!

[shoozie]

another KW fan here -  even from a short double row, they gave a good crop, final pickings last week which were past fresh, but were added to a few pots of minestrone soup

[solway cropper]

Early Onward for me and I agree with Matt, nobody told the plants they should only be 2 foot high. I stop mine at 3-4 foot otherwise you might as well be growing Alderman.

[shokkyy]

Thanks, guys. Looks like KW has a lot of supporters, so I'll give them a go. My local GC always sells all 3 varieties loose by the kilo, so I can grab a load of seeds fairly cheaply.

[mumofstig]

I had trouble for 2 years getting my Onward peas taller than 18in not great when your back is complaining  so grow the taller varieties now 

[shokkyy]

Well I'll let you know how tall my KW turn out next year

[mumofstig]

 

[Eblana]

I have resolved to grow far more peas next year.  I got an alright crop from the Kelvedon but only had a 4 ft (single) row of them growing up chicken wire (which I had to keep tying them into).  Will try DD's method next year but will be having about 10 times as many rows as peas were the one veg from the plot that the kids devoured.

Thats a Munty Frame for beans and a DD support for pea's

[Christine]

I'm a Twinkle person myself. Done well for me most years - this year being an exception. But then this year has been an exception to everything.

[Madame Cholet]

I'm new to peas but I'm going to try juno looks promising to fill the early gap.