WHEN TO SOW
March to May
Where to Sow
Prepare a flat bottom drill 5cm (2in) deep and 10cm, (4in) wide.
What to do next
Space seeds 5cm (2in) apart throughout the drill allowing 60cm (24in) between the drills, then cover over with soil and gently tamp down with the back of a rake. It is advisable to give some net protection against birds, once seedlings start to grow , then add some net support for plants to climb and hold the crop. Alternatively very early spring sowings can be made in February or March into a length of plastic gutter or modular cells under glass and then planted out against wires. Slide contents of gutter into a shallow drill made in the plot or space modular plants 10-15cm(4-6in) apart once hardened off.
MATURITY
June to August
HANDY TIP
If you prefer to choose varieties of different maturity rather than successional sowing, this fits between Kelvedon Wonder and Onward.
Varieties:
Pea Early Onward produce blunt pods of dark green packed full of good flavour and can be harvested some 10 days earlier than Onward. The pods are well filled with peas and prolific. the plant can grow to a height of 60cm. To get the sweetest flavour, peas are best cooked when picked young and cooked within 30 minutes of harvest, before the sugar has turned to starch.