Peas (Kelvedon)

Biglad · August 2020

First time growing peas and I've now got several pods on the biggest batch of plants

Just wondering if anybody has any hints on getting those pesky tendrils to grip where you want them to. Whenever my back is turned, they seem to send one out sideways and grab each other or the wind bends them towards something else. I've got cobbled together supports/stakes but they aren't behaving!!! Superglue?

Busy-Lizzie · August 2020

String! If I've put in supports posts I tie string or pea netting between them as pea tendrils can't fasten around anything thick. Then I sometimes tie the peas to the supports if they haven't attached themselves properly.

Biglad · August 2020

Thanks @Busy-Lizzie. I've increased the number of stakes and tied string around them in the hope that I can avoid needing to tie the individual plants directly to a support. They are so flimsy and my delicate touch would probably cause damage!

strelitzia32 · August 2020

I might need to take a photo to explain this better, but I thread sticks through mesh netting, peas seem very happy climbing up it. And much better than pea netting, which I find pretty useless and hassle to do all the time.

Get a roll of that square netting with the holes at least 1cm square. Get some sticks or bamboo. Cut strips off the netting, so that each strip is about 10 to 15cm wide, and as long as possible.

Then thread the bamboo cane through the netting back and forth, up the middle of the strip you just cut. The netting will look like a snake. Then you can just stick the cane in the ground, and the peas will climb it. Repeat as many times as needed!

Reusable every year, and so much faster than trying to tie them in.

Hopefully that makes sense, if not I'll post a photo later.

Biglad · August 2020

@strelitzia32 Thanks - I've got a bit of really old chicken wire that might fit the bill?

SydRoy · August 2020

I wouldn't worry too much..Kelvedon Wonder don't grow that high..I've even grown them without support.

cornelly · August 2020

I am lucky and able to use prunings from the garden to support peas, never found nets even with bamboo canes much of a success.

Biglad · August 2020

I've cobbled together some extra support from various bits from inside the shed, a ball of string and a thin branch that I pruned from the rowan tree that has sprung up in the back garden this year. Let's see how they stand up to the "unusual winds" just forecast on the BBC!

The biggest pods are starting to fatten rapidly

Biglad · September 2020

Just to let you know @Busy-Lizzie that I followed your advice and tied string around wigwam supports that I cobbled together with small branches 'harvested' from around the garden. It's worked well and we've been enjoying the peas for a while with quite a lot still to come. Even better - zero money spent on my 'structures'

Many thanks.

Busy-Lizzie · September 2020

I'm glad it worked @Biglad, thanks for letting me know.

Biglad · September 2020

There was nothing on the seed packet about harvesting (in terms of when), but some of my pea plants are still flowering and I've got more pods on the go than at any time during July/Aug, which my limited research suggests is the main harvest time?

They're described as hardy on the seed packet but I'm guessing that, at some point, lower temperatures and reduced sunlight hours will signal the end?

I'm just wondering how long they are likely to keep producing for? I'm making plans for bed/planter usage over the next few months and their increasing productivity is both a delight and a source of a little head-scratching

Peas (Kelvedon)

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