Mangetout Peas: A Garden Delight

1.A sunny. sheltered site

Peas grow best in a sunny. well-drained spot. They will tolerate a little light shade. They prefer to grow in moist. fertile soil in a sheltered location away from strong winds. Avoid growing peas in very wet soils.

2.Perfect for beds. pots & grow bags

Peas are easy to grow in any combination of raised beds. traditional veg plots or medium sized pots/grow bags.

3.How far apart

Peas can be grown quite close together. approximately 10cm between plants. If you are growing in pots. you can plant approx 5-6 pea plants to a medium 30cm diameter pot.

4.Keep them well watered

Try not to let the soil dry out and you will have much better success with peas. If you notice any discolouration in the leaves. that is an indication that they need more water to enable them to access nutrients.

5.Give them something to climb

Peas put out tendrils. wrapping them around supports as they climb.

Garden Peas & Sugarsnap Peas – ours are dwarf varieties. growing to approx 50cm. Some 50cm high twiggy sticks prodded into the earth will provide good support. Or a 50cm high length of chicken wire. supported at each end by bamboo canes.

Mangetout Peas – ours are taller varieties. often climbing to 2m. A trellis or 2m length of chicken wire supported by bamboo canes at either end will provide them with support. You could also grow them up a wigwam.

6.When to harvest

Once the flowers appear. keep an eye out for new pods forming. Pick mange tout peas when they reach a medium size for the best crunch and flavour. Sugar snap peas and garden peas will start out as flat pods. and then will swell as the peas inside start to form. Pick them once the pods are nice and round and quite firm. You can eat sugarsnaps whole. but pod garden peas first.

7.Pinch out mange tout when they get too tall

Mange tout will keep on growing. Once they reach head height. pinch off the top tip. This will prevent th e plant from growing up any further. and will encourage side shoots instead.

Start your mangetout adventure today and experience the garden-to-table delight! 🌱✨