Peas In Plug Pellets

[Artisan]

Can anyone tell me if peas can be started in plug pellets like the Jiffy 7?

[Thelma Sanders]

Peas like a deeper root run, so I doubt they'd do well in plug pellets, unless you were going to plant them as soon as they germinated.

[Penellype]

Jiffys may be a bit shallow for peas - they develop quite long roots very quickly.

[Artisan]

Thank you both for the advice. I will defer sowing in plugs/trays and sow directly in the plot from March.

This forum is a great way to build up a good knowledge base.

[nickdub]

Thank you both for the advice. I will defer sowing in plugs/trays and sow directly in the plot from March.

Another way round it which I have used myself is to germinate the peas in plastic boxes with some wet kitchen roll in the bottom. Obviously you have to keep a v close watch and get them in the ground as soon as the first hint of a root shows. It does however give a better % germination I think, it means the seeds are exposed to slugs for less time when they are vulnerable and also helps a bit with any mice finding them by shortening the time they are in the ground before growing..

[Artisan]

What a great idea! I'll give that a go.

[It never rains..it pours]

Ive tried planting some in gutters this year, as others have tried in past. It did occur to me a good idea but really think need something deeper than a gutter

[4Shoes]

I use gutters for 1st 2 sawing of Peas, followed by 1st sawing of beetroot. (1/2 rows)

Stops the mice getting them.

Get them out under cloche.

[Bren In Pots]

I sow my pre-chitted peas into guttering doing it this way works out well for me, it saves messing with individual pots or loo rolls like i've tried in the past.

[4Shoes]

For pea shoots, I just put an 1" of spent compost in bottom of a seed tray. Soak marrow fat peas over night and sprinkle them on top. If you have a space where you "keep" your gutter, could double up after peas and beet all planted out.
Take 1st cut above bottom leaves to allow for cut and grow again.
Don't let them grow too long.... the feelers give a strange experience when eating.

[Jimmy]

Could always knock up a deep narrow seed tray from some scrap wood.
Make it so it dismantles easily so you can get them out.
Jimmy

[nickdub]

Ive tried planting some in gutters this year, as others have tried in past. It did occur to me a good idea but really think need something deeper than a gutter

One tip I came across with that guttering idea was to lay some string along the gutter at the same depth as you are putting in the seeds, then when you come to plant out, you make a small trench, tie one end of the string to a peg in it and pull the gutter out from underneath the peas - haven't tried it myself though.

[Bren In Pots]

I've not tried string what I do is to tip the gutter sideways into my pre-dug trench.

[4Shoes]

I've not tried string what I do is to tip the gutter sideways into my pre-dug trench.

I've tried that but from time to time, they seem to glue themselves onto the gutter and you end up evicting them in 12" blocks.

Use 1.2m sections - 4' old money so 2 will run length of bed.... 2 weeks apart.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

"Gutter Sewing" is a brilliant way to start off pea seedlings I find, they can be hung from the rafters of the greenhouse/polytunnel away from prying mice who just adore pea seeds!

one sound piece of advice though, your better off doing it in say 3 to 4ft sections as it is far easier to pour out of the gutter into your pre dug furrow, than say a 10ft section thinking you are saving yourself a little time.

Take it from a voice of experience! Your not!

Trying to pour out a 10ft section is nigh on impossible! But funny to watch!