Pea'd off !

[Deleted]

Went to the plot today and found that my peas have been attacked by...........something but I don't know what.

I protected them with cloches but they weren't long enough to cover the whole row. Where the peas weren't covered, they've pretty much disappeared completely and those that are under the cloche appear to have been nibbled. There are loads of chunks taken out of the leaves - so much so that the edges look serrated.

I've planet some more in pots in the GH but any ideas what's been nibbling them down the plot ? I'll need to take better precautions when the 2nd lot are planted so I'd like to know what I'm up against !!

Thanks

FA x

[Tig]

The pesky pigeons ate mine almost as soon as they poked through! Then I spotted some sparrows pecking at them too - darned birds! I have put black cotton all over my plots about 5" off the ground, FB said pigeons can't see it, and neither can I! Bit of a tangle when I try and weed.. S & s like the peas almost as much as we do - it is a battle with nature this veggie growing lark!

I'm surpised that the ones under the cloches have been nibbled, unless your plot has loads of slugs and snails?

x Tig

[farmersboy]

That will be it ,FA,pigeons,sparrows,or jays,maybe sparrows can get in your cloches,i just put one strand of black thread above the row of peas,and i get no more trouble,it really needs to be strong thread,not cotton,as cats in my garden break it

[4pygmies]

Sadly Peas are one of those crops that everything likes...........I never sow direct these days and always wait until the plants are quite sizeable before I plant them out. I have metal cloches with black netting over all mine until the last possible minute and always protect the ends too - it seems to work for me.......but I am in my veggie garden often enough to scare off the birds etc. Have you tried putting up wind scarers on sticks etc FA? They seem to use Tescos bags tied to twigs mostly up at the village lotties - not pretty but effective! ;D

[Deleted]

Just as an addendum to this thread, I planted another 40 Kelvedon Wonder peas in pots in my GH. Only 1 germinated and that bloody well died. Seems as though I don't have "the touch" when it comes to peas

Oh well, there's always next year

FA x

[flowersfriend]

You could try sugar snaps or mange tout. We find the sparrows still nibble, but it doesnt seem to effect the crop so much. Better luck next time Fat Andy, don't give up they are worth it I am sure "the touch" will be back.
We find it varies from year to year which crops do well and which we struggle with and yet we seem to do the same thing.