PEAS
(MANGETOUT, AS A SPRING CROP)
MANGETOUT PEAS
Sow: January and October to December
Plant: January and December
Harvest: April to May
January: Buy seed so that there is plenty to last for an autumn sowing. It’s still worth making a late sowing in pots or in the border soil. Seedlings sown in early winter can be planted out in a trench filled with compost and covered with soil. Set a double row 12cm/5in apart with 5cm/2in between plants. If soil is acid, scatter lime or wood ash on the surface. Cover with a layer of fleece if the weather is cold.
February: Push small, twiggy sticks into the ground on either side of the row for support.
March: Keep watering as needed; the soil around roots should never be dry. Use larger branches, or pea netting, to support the growing peas. Don’t let plants flop and break or trail on the ground.
April: Self-fertile flowers will set pods without any help. Water well while plants are flowering. First pods should be ready to pick this month.
May: Plants will crop abundantly. Keep harvesting while pods are flat and juicy. Add more supports if plants start to flop under their weight. Remove plants at the end of the month if space is needed for other crops.
June: Plants will still crop, but pods might become tougher. Shell any large peas from pods. Clear all remaining pods and remove plants.
October: Sow seed in pots of compost: four seeds, at 1cm/½in depth, per 10cm/4in pot. Cover with fleece and leave in the unheated polytunnel to germinate.
November: Sow seed in cells, pots or tubs as for October.
December: Plant out seedlings when 8cm/3in tall, as for Jan. Sow seed if you have not already done so. Watch out for grey mould on seedlings.
MANGETOUT TROUBLES
Slugs: January to February and November to December
Rats and mice: January to February and November to December
Grey mould: January to February and November to December