Although peas are fairly frost hardy, their flowers are not. However, if they are sown towards the end of July, after the winter solstice, the plants should only be in flower after the last frost date, which is around 20 September.
The first peas should be ready for harvest by the beginning of October. Try these:
Climbing peas such as ‘Sugar Snap’ – these grow up to 2m tall and yield sweet, crunchy peas within 60 to 70 days.
Snow peas such as ‘Oregon Sugar Pod’ – these have flat edible pods with small flat peas. The pods are eaten raw in salads or tossed in stir-fries.
Garden peas or shelling peas like the bush pea ‘Greenfeast’ – these produce large, sweet peas which need to be picked regularly otherwise they lose their flavour. Plants also stop bearing if mature pods are left on the bush.
SOIL PREP
For compact or bush peas, loosen the soil to a depth of 30cm, mix in compost, bone meal or superphosphate.
For climbing peas, prepare a trench (50–60cm deep): remove the topsoil to a depth of 30cm, and put it to one side.
Mix compost and a sprinkling of agricultural lime into the topsoil. The latter corrects acidity, encourages micro- organisms, and helps improve drainage but don’t use too much. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the trench to a depth of 30cm. Sprinkle iron chelate at the bottom of the trench, add rotted manure and bone meal or superphosphate. Return the composted topsoil to the trench and water well.
SOWING SEEDS
For quick, even germination, soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours or overnight.
Sow the seeds directly into the soil.
For climbing peas, first make a furrow about 15cm deep and flat at the bottom. Space seeds about 7cm apart and cover with 5cm of soil. As the plants grow, fill in with soil a little at a time. This keeps the roots damp and cool.
GROWING AND HARVESTING
For strong basal shoots, pinch off the top leaves of climbing peas when they are about 18cm tall. Stake or train onto a trellis. • Water regularly and don’t let the soil dry out. Fertilise with Margaret Roberts Supercharger two weeks after germination and thereafter every four weeks.
When the pods are ready to be harvested, snip off with garden scissors – pulling them off the stem could damage the plant.
Written by Alice Spenser-Higgs, published din Home Magazine.
