I watch them grow on a daily basis. Some of you might perhaps remember that I have a few plants of each of four different early varieties: Misty, Ambassador, Kelvedon Wonder and Early Onward. This is why the plants are all different heights.
My plan was that the different varieties would mature at slightly different times, thus extending the harvesting period. However (and yes, I know they are all Early varieties) they appear to be determined to mature at pretty much the same time. The first of the pods is just beginning to swell. I call this "inflating", because the pod gets big and fat before the peas inside it do, and for a while it seems to be just full of air.
This pod might look big enough to pick, but it isn't. Inside, the peas will be very tiny still. Knowing when to pick peas is very much a matter of experience, I think. Too soon, and the potential of the harvest will be unfulfilled; too late and the peas will have gone floury. My advice is - when you think the peas are maybe a week short of being ready, pick one pod and see what's inside. Based on what you see, you can then make a more reasonable judgement about when to pick the crop. [I picked that pod yesterday. The peas inside were very sweet, but also very small. Another few days required...]
And these ones in the picture above are obviously not yet ready, since the flowers have not yet fallen off the pods. Patience!
Our pea plants are struggling due to lack of water - it's harder to keep up to watering when you have an allotment rather than growing in your garden. Not only is there more to water but our plot is about three miles away from home which means you can't just pop outside every evening when it's the best time to water. Wish our veg were just outside our back door
ReplyDeleteHome grown Peas and new potatoes all you need is some Dover sole
ReplyDeleteCathy; I don't eat any fish, so Dover Sole doesn't appeal to me! :-( How about a Gammon steak?
ReplyDeleteLike the title - very clever! I picked mine when I could see a lumpy formation under skin but I had to be quick or they turned yellow.
ReplyDeleteI have to grow a section of peas for grazing husband and son other wise we would have none. I do best with the sugar snap peas they are lovely pod and all.
ReplyDeleteYour peas look great! I wish I could grow some too. The closest I have is the beans, but they are still very small.
ReplyDeleteMy peas are at about the same stage as yours. I'm growing mange tout for the first time this year but there's no pods produced on those yet.
ReplyDeleteNice peas! :)
ReplyDeleteWe've already harvested some from our polytunnel plants, which are going mad. The ourdoor sowings are slower and way behind yours.
Mo
Your peas look so good! You inspired me to post about my peas too, the only happy vegies in the garden right now!
ReplyDeleteClever indeed! Mine are growing but have yet to latch onto the supports yet. Yours look great!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the advice on pea picking. I've not yet tried peas; the next pea planting season in my part is October and I hope to plant them then. Peas are supposed to be nitrogen fixing. I wonder if growing them actually improves soil fertility.
ReplyDeleteNice title, and peas! You can avoid the problem about knowing when to pick - by growing mangetout!
ReplyDeleteMal, Yes, you're right, but I don't like Mangetout. I find them too "squeaky" for my liking!
ReplyDelete