Pea Plant 'Hurst Green Shaft'

Where to Grow Peas

Plant peas and beans in an open, sunny location with free-draining soil. Avoid planting beans in cold or very wet soil. Grow peas and beans in different areas of the garden each year to avoid build ups of pests and diseases.

How to Prepare the Soil for Peas

Ideally, prepare the soil the previous autumn or winter to allow the ground to settle.

Dig in some well-rotted compost or farmyard manure to improve the structure and fertility of the soil. Add a dressing of lime to acid soil to raise its pH level.

Nutrient levels can also be boosted by applying a light dressing of general-purpose fertiliser a couple of weeks before sowing.

If desired, the soil can be warmed by putting down polythene sheets a few weeks before planting.

How to Plant Peas

Push the base of the tray and ease out the plug. At this stage you can decide to plant each cell as it is with several plants in that cell or separate each plant out. Do this by gently pulling the compost apart, separating the roots of each plant.

Dig a hole similar size to the plug or plant, ensuring the roots are not coiled around and are facing downwards into the hole. Back fill, firm in the soil and give them a good water.

If planting in rows – plant about 10cm apart or if up supports, plant at the base of each cane.

How to Support Peas

Supports are needed for peas and runner and climbing French beans.

Shorter varieties of peas grow well on twiggy branches, such as hazel, or pea netting. Use bamboo canes and netting for taller ones.

Train climbing French beans against bamboo canes, which can be arranged as a row of A-frames or tied together to form a wigwam.

These plants have been grown in a 12 cell tray with several seeds sown per cell. Each of these plants are ready to be planted directly into the garden. If there is a delay, remove them from the box and give them a good water.

Place them outside in a cool spot, out of direct sunlight until ready to be planted, keep well watered. These plants will keep for approx. a week in the tray but ideally be planted within a couple of days.

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