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  • #1

    Pea Tops Gone

    Well just when I think I am ahead with something good growing my peas this year (early onward/bingo/) have been bad with slow growth. I planted 8 to a square foot in the raised bed but they have not grown very fast. The ones that were the best have had their tops clean cut off. No evidence of slug or snail slime or tell tale marks. Just clean cuts. Shall I pull them out or will they grow new shoots. I have some more sown in pots but will probably not be in time fro cropping now.

    I have also planted some in the border and they have actually got smaller and smaller.

    The other thing, I see allotment folk growing peas very close together in big rows. Surely 8 in a square foot isn't that much ? Seems I should be putting more in.
    Last edited by Marb67; 20-05-2016, 06:35 AM.
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  • #2
    I grow my peas in rows with seeds a couple of inches apart across the row so yes, they do seem to do well from close sowings. I don't do square foot gardening, how do you support them in that environment? Re the tops, not a problem on my site, but I suspect birds, if there still got leaves then the should resprout.

    Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

    Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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    • #3
      Yes, I think Walter Pigeon is the culprit. Never had problems with them in the past and they have always been around as well as collard doves. I will leave them in that case and now netted to stop any birds. I support them with old cut off, dry raspberry canes from last year. They seem ideal.

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      • #4
        It's the blimming sparrers that take the tops off the peas in my garden.....I love to watch them but they can be real pests.

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        • #5
          Well I think you are right because my wife said only the other day why are the sparrows always around your beans and peas. I put seed out for them too so not sure why they do this. Never had a problem with them before little beggers.
          Last edited by Marb67; 20-05-2016, 08:10 AM.

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          • #6
            When I grow peas I plant 5 seeds in a 9cm square pot and plant them out in rows - 10 pots makes about 1m row (not all the seeds germinate but most do). I've also grown this many in a 30 litre pot, with fair but not brilliant results. The peas are not that easy to harvest when grown in a block. But I definitely think you could get more than 8 plants in a square foot - maybe 4 9cm pots in a square (upto 20 plants)?
            A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP. - Leonard Nimoy

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            • #7
              Yep, sparrers for me too, Marb, have you tried a 'low growing' variety ? Do a staggered double row around the perimeter of the square you will get lots more plants in & should need very little support.
              He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

              Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

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              • #8
                Hi Marb, I may or may not have a solution for you. I've just been down to the plot & taken some pics of mine.

                Firstly, Pea Douce Provence, there is nothing growing at the side of these apart from a small Tom. As you can see they have been ravaged and are pathetic to say the least:



                Secondly, Pea Meteor, this is growing next to a square of Leeks, they are only around 15" tall but you can see the difference:

                .................

                So, one of two things come to mind, either the Leeks are masking the Peas or it could be simply down to the variety. Hope this helps.
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                sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
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                Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
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                Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
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                • #9
                  I seem to have out smarted (really me?) the flying thieves this year as all my peas are in 2ft long wall baskets so their tops are down instead of up. Unless a birdie is going to attempt a death defying fly past they can't get at them.

                  The broad beans however are another matter entirely!
                  I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. Thomas A. Edison

                  Outreach co-ordinator for the Gnome, Pixie and Fairy groups within the Nutters Club.

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                  • #10
                    Great idea Lumpy, hanging Peas. I like folk who think outside the box.
                    sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
                    KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

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                    • #11
                      Thanks folks, some helpful tips (though I don't want any helpful tips going to sparrows as they have had enough ;-)
                      Last edited by Marb67; 20-05-2016, 06:05 PM.

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