The first peas were harvested on Tuesday 22nd June, 2010 but yields were generally low as the effects of the late frosts took it’s toll, with some flowers being aborted.
pea pods
Silver Y Moth has been a slight problem, particularly in Petits Pois varieties, resulting in high levels of caterpillars being found in the pods.
Yields started to pick up once the frosted crops had been picked, and although not as good as last year, the peas were producing above average yields. As temperatures continued to rise, pods developed faster & there were more peas to pick. Petits Pois yields have been very good.
peas in pod
The last peas sown reached full flower on 22nd July, & will probably be harvested around the 11th – 13th August, 2010.
There are 2 types of pea, but they are both grown in the same way:
- mangetout – the whole pod is eaten with tiny underdeveloped peas inside
- shelling peas - these are round (for early peas) or wrinkled (for summer peas & are sweeter)
semi-leaflesspea-in-flower
Peas grow best in the first half of the year when it is not too hot.
Sow every 2 weeks from March until July for a continual supply.
Sow seeds thinly in drills 5cm (2in) deep, allowing 45-60cm (18-24in) between the rows.
Site – sunny as soil needs to be warm for peas – so cover with polythene if cold.
Soil - deep & rich with well rotted manure or compost dug in the previous
autumn/winter.
Weed rows regularly.
Support plants when 8-10cm (3-4in) tall, with twiggy sticks or netting.
Water twice a week during flowering and pod development to help fill the peas in the pod.
Pick mangetout when the pods are small, flat and stringless – just as the peas inside start to develop. Pick shelling peas when the pods start to swell & the peas are a good size, but before the pods change colour & the peas go hard.
Depending on the sowing time, peas can be harvested from June-September. Pick regularly to allow more pea pods to grow & develop.
In spite of the drought, the peas look very well and are in flower.
flower-pea
These peas were planted late, in the last week of May.
semi-leafless pea plant
They are a semi-leafless pea, with lots of tendrils which wind round each other and help hold the plant up.
semi-leaflesspea-in-flower
Soon the flowers will develop into the pods full of tiny peas. They can be eaten early as mangetout (the whole pod), or we can wait for the peas inside to grow & eat them as peas.
The pea flower has to be fertilised to produce the pod, but most blooms self-pollinate while still in bud.
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The harvest for Birds Eye peas is in full swing. Click this link to watch the piece on TV last night:
http://www.itv.com/yorkshire/peas-and-good-will17836/
Birds Eye peas are frozen within 2.5 hours of vining – to keep all the flavour and goodness in.
Also on the clip is Rachel Green, cooking a pea risotto in the middle of the harvest field!
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Growing peas just for shoots is a quick way to grow fresh veg.
Pea shoots are the leaves & stem from the top 2 to 6 inches of a younger pea plant, & include two to four pairs of leaves and immature tendrils. They sometimes have small flower buds amongst them.
Two or three cuts of shoots are taken from each batch of seeds.
pea shoots
How To Grow Pea Shoots:
1. plant in early spring or late summer as peas grow best in cool weather. Young pea plants can withstand a little frost, though frost may damage the flowers and pods. As a winter crop, peas tolerate temperatures down to 28°F (-2°C) in the seedling stage, but top growth may be damaged when the temperature falls below freezing.
2. choose varieties suited for this such as:
3. plant:
- 1 inch deep
- 2 – 4 inches between peas (much closer than if growing for actual peas)
- in compost or crumbly soil
- water to dampen soil
- leave in warm spot – windowsill, or outside under cloche
4. clip off the growing points plus one pair of leaves to encourage branching, when plants are 6 to 8 inches tall. These clippings are the first pea shoot harvest.
5. every three to four weeks – clip the top 2 to 6 inches of each plant.
6. keep harvesting until shoots taste bitter, late in the growing season. Three cuts per batch of seed is average.
7. wash and spin dry harvested pea shoots as you would lettuce.
Use pea shoots:
- in salads
- as a garnish
- lightly steamed and eat as a hot vegetable
Pea-shoots are a good source of vitamin K, C and are especially high in vitamin A.
Growing pea shoots is an easy way to produce fresh vegetables full of vitamins.
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This green pea hummus recipe is in the free pea recipe booklet available from www.peas.org
Yes Peas
GREEN PEA HUMMUS DIP WITH SALAD WRAPS
Serves 4
500g frozen peas
3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
3 tbsp light tahini paste
Juice of 1 large lemon (add more if preferred)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp rapeseed oil
Chilli powder
Sea salt and black pepper
Salad Wraps:
4 tortilla wraps
Handful of washed lettuce leaves
4 medium tomatoes, sliced
16 slices of cucumber
Sea salt and black pepper
Method:
To make the Green Pea Hummus – Add the peas to a pan of boiling water and simmer for 3 minutes. Drain the peas and put in a food processor along with all the other ingredients; mix well until a paste is formed, season with sea salt and black pepper. To make the salad wraps – Lay out the tortilla wraps and fill with the green pea hummus, lettuce leaves, tomatoes and cucumber. Season with sea salt and black pepper and carefully roll up and cut in half.
Thrips cause damage to the growing shoots of peas & beans, and
thrip damage is particularly obvious in the young broad bean
tips and flowers.
damage-from-thrips
Thrip damage is more serious in cold dry springs, when the young plants
are growing slowly.
curled-leaves-thrips
The broad bean leaves curl and become distorted.
thrip-damage-on-shoot
Thrip damage is very common in broad beans.
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Tthe second pea recipe book ‘Yes More Peas’ has just been published.
pea recipe and supper ideas
TV chef Rachel Green has gathered over 20 new recipes involving peas in this second book. There are lots of pea recipes and supper ideas. The book is FREE!! from http://www.peas.org/contactYP.php
The Yes More Peas recipe book is worth getting!
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