PLANNING FOR PERFECT PEAS

The first pea crops of the year are always a tasty favourite. Martin Fish shares practical methods for successful early sowings, indoors or out

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Podding peas always brings back childhood memories of sitting with my Grandma, shelling freshly picked peas from the garden. From memory, I don't think many of the peas I was podding made it into the cooking pot, though!

There is certainly something special about the first peas of the season, and although frozen peas are readily available all year round, freshly picked, young peas are so sweet and delicious, cooked or eaten raw.

Peas are classed as hardy annuals, meaning they will withstand some frost and grow happily in cooler temperatures. First early varieties can be sown as early as February in mild areas when the soil temperature is around 10°C (50°F). If outdoor conditions are too cold and wet, wait a while or start the seed off under cover in a cold greenhouse, polytunnel or cold frame for protection.

With good growing conditions, these early varieties will be ready to pick around 11-12 weeks after sowing.

STARTING OFF OUTSIDE

If sowing directly into the garden, peas like a well-drained soil high in organic matter. The addition of homemade compost, well-rotted manure or bagged soil-conditioning compost will greatly improve all soil types and add extra nutrients for strong growth. Peas also prefer alkaline soil, so if your soil is on the acidic side sprinkle some garden lime onto the soil a couple of weeks before sowing, and allow the rain to wash it in.

To sow outside, rake the area to break up any lumps and use a planting board or string line as a guide to make a flat-bottomed drill with a spade around 4-5cm (1.5-2in) deep and the width of the spade.