It is cool weather vegetable crop time! Peas can go into the ground now. A better place to put the first wave is in a container. The containers drain a little better during the first few weeks of March and I find that cuts down on seed rotting.
As you saw I cleaned out my containers. In the extra spaces, around the greens, I planted peas. I plant 2 varieties and change each year. I typically do an edible pod for salads and a variety of large peas for straight peas. Don't cook freshed picked peas... just eat them from the pod.
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| Two Pea Varieties: Gary Pilarchik |
Peas can be planted 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep. You should plant 2 seeds per hole. You can let both grow if you know the spot can support them. In this case, the container should be able to maintain moisture for all the vegetables you have growing in it. This really isn't an issue in March and April. The rains and cool weather keep things moist.
If you want - thin to one plant per hole. In a 5 gallon container, 6 to 8 plants will do fine. You will notice I plant more seeds than I just stated because they don't always sprout. Remember while you wait 10-14 days for them to germinate, you lose time. So plant more than you need. You can always thin or move plants.
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| Peas in Containers for March 2nd: Gary Pilarchik |
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| Last Years Container Peas: Gary Pilarchik |
The 5 gallon bucket is a great container. I also have 2 1/2 gallon buckets. The later had issues when higher temperatures came in late May. The plants would dry out.
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| 10 Peas in a 5 Gallon Bucket: Gary Pilarchik |
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| Pea Supports - Use Your Tomato Cages: Gary Pilarchik |
This is the start of my 2012 garden! The greens will be ready soon. The peas will follow. The supports are my tomato cages. The peas will be harvested by the time I need the cages for tomatoes. Notice I also use bamboo poles. The pease will need to climb. They are fragile plants and climbing tends to be the best way to grow them.
I tried 2 1/2 gal buckets for tomatoes last year. It worked but I'm going to try a couple of 7 gals. this season. The fruit was small in the smaller containers. Excellent taste but smaller then would be expected. I was also trying to get two plants per container. Trying to get too much out of too little
ReplyDeleteI found the 2 1/2 are good for leafy greens and this about it. Plus watering is a lot of work. And a 5 gallon bucket doesnt take up that much more room. Good luck!
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